‘Go teetotal if you’ve got the car or driving the next day’

Police have issued a warning to Monklands motorists to avoid getting behind the wheel while boozed- up following a spate of drink- driving arrests this month.

Dozens of drivers stopped by Lanarkshire division officers across the region since December 1 were found to have driven under the influence of alcohol.

Inspector Steven Miller, from Airdrie police office, said: “Although incidents of death by drink-driving have fallen significantly over the last 30 years, it is sadly still a problem, one that invariably comes to the fore in the festive period, and one that saw the lower drink-drive limit introduced by Police Scotland last year.

“As part of that initiative, one in 35 motorists stopped during the festive period in 2015 was over the legal limit, and much of this was down to people believing certain myths about how much is too much before getting behind the wheel.

“There is no foolproof formula to work out how much you can drink and safely drive. It is not simply a matter of guesstimating an acceptable number of pints, glasses or units based on your height and weight.

“Time is the only effective way of ridding your system of alcohol.”

Inspector Miller added: “The penalties for drink-driving include a minimum 12- month driving ban, a criminal record, a fine of up to £5000 and an 11 year endorsement on your licence.

“It’s safe to say when all is considered, that the best option is to not risk it and go teetotal for the evening if you’ve got the car or if you’re going to be driving the day after.”