Five motorists charged with drink or drug driving offences in the North East

Five motorists were charged and another four arrested over the final weekend in June in connection with drink/drug offences as part of routine patrols.

Police in the North East made stops in Fochabers, Peterhead, Aberdeen, Inverurie, Keith, Old Meldrum and Cullen.

Inspector Lorraine Mackie of the Road Policing Unit said: "It is shocking that those motorists think it is acceptable to drive after consuming too much alcohol or taking drugs.

"Drink or drug driving is against the law and can result in unnecessary tragic loss of life or horrific life changing injuries to not only the drivers but any other road users.

"The legal drink drive limit is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.  Anyone caught exceeding this limit faces a minimum of 12 month driving ban, a criminal record, a substantial fine and potentially the loss of their vehicle.

"If you are an illegal drug user who is driving a car, the drug will remain in your system for a significant period after use and your driving skills are not only impaired but you will likely fail any road side drug test. 

"We remain committed to tackling this offending and will continue to focus or detecting drivers who flout the law without a care of the public safety of others. 

"With the summer holidays fast approaching I am urging drivers to think carefully about their actions if they are planning to go out socialising and to plan for getting home safely by taxi, bus or designated driver.

"Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and the information we receive, anonymously or otherwise greatly assists us in being able to identify and detect offenders in an effort to keep our North East roads safe.  If you know or suspect anyone is drink or drug driving, please call in to report the matter on 101.  Alternatively an anonymous report can also be made by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."