| Any driver they pull over, even if it’s just to point out their brake light is out, will get tested and, for some, a positive result is more of a surprise.
“We were at the fire in Whitfield last week and we stopped somebody who tore past to warn him about his speed. His alcohol reading was 108 and that was just at 4.30 in the afternoon,” said PC Mulligan.
“There are a lot of morning-after drinkers, people who think they just won’t get stopped.”
Everyone stopped while I was “on patrol” tested negative, but it’s fascinating to see just how little a driver has to do to find themselves taking a breath test.
If they test positive, they’ll be taken to Tayside Police’s Bell Street headquarters where they will have to undergo more tests to determine their exact blood-alcohol content.
After that, they can expect to appear in court and lose their driving licence — the long-term consequences of which can be devastating.
Attitudes have also changed. It used to be that people considered themselves “unlucky” if they were caught drink-driving, but society now frowns on them more than ever.
“People accept we are testing people as they know about the drink-driving lessons themselves,” said PC Burnett.
“Most drink-drivers we catch are mortified. They blame themselves rather than us.
“A lot of people are not in trouble with the police usually, so there is quite a lot of stigma for them.
“The number of people that phone us up to say somebody is drink-driving has gone up as well.”
What is alarming police now, however, is the proportion of young male drivers who are caught drink-driving.
A recent crackdown showed that of the 24 drivers arrested for being over the limit, nine were under the age of 25. All but one of those were male.
Although high-profile campaigns tend to centre around the festive period or the barbecue season, police are aware they are tackling a year-round problem.
“One long weekend recently we had 15 drink-drivers,” said Sergeant Rachael Francis.
“People go out not intending to drink as much, but they don’t appreciate the risk.
“The consequences are this — you can lose your car, lose your job and lose your home.”
Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman, head of road policing in Tayside, said using the breathalyser helped police demonstrate their intolerance of drink-driving.
“We are sending a message that if you are stopped for an offence, however minor, you will be tested.”
He added the only way to ensure a negative result is not to drink and drive. He said he had seen men break down in tears when they realised what the effect of losing their licence will be. |
