ALMOST a third of motorists caught drunk behind the wheel in a Christmas drink-driving crackdown in the Lothians are aged 25 and under.
The figure is higher than the national average, according to the latest figures released during the third week of a month-long campaign led by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS).
Despite the number of arrests, police sai
d there has been an improvement in the number of festive revellers keeping their cars at home the morning after.
The latest figures reveal 23 people arrested in the Lothian and Borders area in the three weeks of the campaign to date have been 25 and under. In total, 76 motorists in the region have been arrested. This compares to 102 drivers arrested over the same period last year.
Nationally, 516 motorists have been arrested, of which 144 were aged 25 and under, which, ACPOS said, was one of the biggest causes of concern.
Chief Inspector David Milne, from Lothian and Borders road policing unit, said that anecdotal evidence showed the morning after message was getting through but he was still dismayed by the number of arrests.
He said: "It's difficult to tell from the apparent drop in figures whether people are actually taking the message that you cannot drink and drive on board, because there were still 76 who clearly didn't get the message.
"We've still got the New Year to come and my message to everyone would be to enjoy the New Year, but make sure you've sorted out who's driving you home in advance to ensure there is no way anyone gets caught out drink driving."
Among those arrested in the last week were a 24-year-old man charged with failing to provide a breath test, driving while disqualified and taking a car without the owner's permission.
The man required treatment at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for a head injury sustained when he crashed into another vehicle after failing to stop at a red traffic signal in West Main Street, Broxburn.
Chf Insp Milne said he had seen an improvement in the number of people keeping their cars at home the following morning, when they may still be over the limit.
He added: "This was really brought home to me when we got a phone call from the brother of a member of staff here, mentioning that he'd been stopped in a routine drink driving check one morning.
"He mentioned how startling it was to be stopped and told of his relief that he was one of the sensible ones who don't drink and drive."
Assistant Chief Constable Jim Green, ACPOS secretary of the Road Policing Business Area, said: "Too many young people who have been celebrating during the festive season are getting behind the wheel and putting themselves and other road users as well as the public at risk.
"There may be some confusion by people who have listened to recent health messages indicating how many units a person can drink and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
"This does not relate to alcohol consumption and driving.
"My advice to all drivers is not to drink any alcohol before driving."
The full article contains 536 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
