Drink and drug-driving incidents surge 50%
The number of drink and drug-driving incidents in Scotland has increased by almost 50 per cent in the last seven years but convictions for the crime have dropped, figures show.
Data from the Scottish Government shows the number of offences related to drink-drug-driving rose from5,218in2014-15to7,773 in2021-22–anincreaseof49 per cent.
However, in the same seven-year period, the number of drivers being convicted for these offences fell from 3,681 to 2,185 – a decrease of 40 per cent.
The figures were released by the Scottish Conservatives, who obtained them from justice secretary keith Brown.
Tory justice spokesman Jamie Greene blamed the diverging figures on the Scottish Government's "mismanagement of the justice system".
He said :" it' s appalling that more and more people are willing to risk their own lives – and more importantly those of others – by drink or drug-driving.
"It's equally unacceptable that the number of convictions is plummeting.
"This sends out a dreadful message to the public that these offences are not treated seriously by the authorities. It's another glaring example of the SNP'S softtouch approach to justice in action.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said :" Scotland now has a higher number of officers than there were in 2007 – and more per head of population than England and Wales.
"Our message to the persistent minority of drivers who continue to ignore the law is clear; to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs is utterly unacceptable and will ruin lives."