Rise in drivers caught under the influence

THE number of people being caught driving under the influence of drink and drugs in Tayside shot up in 2020.

Figures from Police Scotland show the number of drink and drug-driving offences increased from 465 in 2019 to 599 this year.

That includes the number of people driving under the influence of a controlled drug going up from nine in 2019 to 127 in 2020, while the number of people in charge of a car while under the influence of a controlled drug went from zero to eight.

Police were granted new powers in October 2019 to test motorists at the roadside for drugs.

In 2020 there were also 84 counts of driving while unfit through drink or drugs, 16 counts of a person being in charge of a car through drink or drugs, 182 counts of driving with a blood alcohol content above the prescribed limit, and 16 cases of being in charge of a car with a blood alcohol content above the prescribed limit.

A total of 83 people also failed to provide a breath test at the roadside, and the same number failed to provide a breath, blood or urine sample at a police station between January and October 2020.

Inspector Greg Burns, from Tayside road policing unit, said it has been easier to spot illegal driving in 2020 because the Covid-19 lockdown made the roads quieter.

He said: “Police officers have remained on proactive patrols on the road network and in our communities throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“During the lockdown restrictions roads have been significantly quieter – making illegal driving behaviour easier to detect in some cases.

“Police Scotland now has the ability to test drivers at the roadside for drugdriving, following legislation being introduced in October 2019, which accounts for some of the rise in offences recorded.

“Speeding, drink or drug-driving and driving while distracted increases your risk of being involved in a collision.”

Dave Barrie, from We Are With You Dundee, encouraged anyone struggling with drug or alcohol use to reach out for help.

He said: “It is quite a surprise to see an increase in drug-driving from nine to 127 in 2020.

“There has been far less car use so for drink and drug-driving to go up to 599 offences from 465 is also surprising.

“We would encourage anyone who is having issues with substance use, both alcohol and illicit substances, to get help.

“Getting behind the wheel under the influence of any substance is the last thing people should be doing.”