ACPOS gets tougher with drink drivers

09.38 | 8 December 2011 | | 3 comments

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) has launched its festive drink and drug drive campaign with the threat of vehicle seizure for those caught well over the limit.

Joining forces with law enforcement partners and the Scottish Government, this year’s campaign sees the introduction of tough new measures, targeting first time offenders who are three times the legal limit or more and those who refuse to provide a sample without a reasonable excuse.

As well as receiving a criminal record, a substantial fine and an automatic 12 month ban, these drivers may now have their vehicle seized and, on conviction, have it taken away for good.

Chief constable Justine Curran, ACPOS vice president, said: “This year’s campaign marks another extension to the Vehicle Forfeiture Scheme. If we discover through our inquiries that an offender is three times the legal limit or more we will request that the court gives consideration to seizing and forfeiting the offender’s vehicle. This means that, on conviction, the vehicle will be sold or destroyed.

“The initiative has been a resounding success which can be attributed to the hard work and support of all the partner agencies involved. 702 repeat offenders have been caught, with 155 vehicles forfeited and a further 18 vehicles seized pending a decision by the court."

For more information contact ACPOS on 0141 435 1241.

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    I agree with Charles Dunn but share his concern that there will be far too few roads policing officers and because of that lack of numbers, I suspect that most forces are issuing press releases about Christmas campaigns and making an issue of it for a fortnight or so and then for the rest of the year it will be as and when an over stretched RPU officer can find the time.

    RPU officers have the ability to save lives – why have Chief Constables more or less killed off their RPU? Perhaps because a large proportion of the motoring public are not going to shout about an even better chance of getting away with the God-given right to do what they want, when they want in their cars.


    Alan Hale – South Gloucestershire Road Safety Team.
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    I think this is a fantastic scheme, BUT and there is always a but. Financial hardship, outstanding HP, vehicle leasing, company cars are going to make this scheme very biased as to who actually suffers the most.

    Someone who owns their car outright may lose their car as they should at 3 times over the limit but someone who is driving a company car or has outstanding finance on the vehicle will not lose out, as the vehicle does not belong to them.

    Unless someone has already thought of that problem. In which case I would be interested in knowing how they get round these issues?


    Stuart Howarth, Rochdale
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    RoadDriver applauds The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland for their Road Safety stance with regard to drink and drug driving.

    We should all support this initiative, lets hope with the numerous cut backs that there will be sufficient road traffic police officers to enforce this drink drive campaign.


    Charles Dunn RoadDriver.co.uk
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