Police were out in force over the weekend in a drive to reduce the number of motorists and motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on country roads.

Sergeant Rachael Francis of the road policing unit said, “The focus was on country roads, although much of what we were doing was ‘business as usual’, the things we do 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“During the weekend we had 23 minor, non-injury collisions on country roads and three collisions which resulted in minor injuries.

“As a result of these collisions, a 32-year-old man was arrested for allegedly being under the influence of drugs. A total of 13 drink or drug-drivers were arrested, including two women.

“The youngest offender was a 17-year-old drink-driver from Carnoustie, who was also reported for other road traffic offences.”

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland), which co-ordinated the operation, said the three-day campaign saw incidents of drink and drugs driving and speeding.

Sergeant Francis said, “We are delighted to have put these people off the road, because it makes it safer for everyone else. Some of these cases resulted from information from the public. We would encourage people to keep doing that, even though the campaign is concluded.”

Next in the force’s sights are drivers who use mobile phones, with a one-day crackdown taking place across Tayside tomorrow.

Latest figures show there has been a reduction in the number of offenders since the penalties for using a handset at the wheel were increased in February 2007.

In the 18 months since the offence was upgraded to a £60 fine and three penalty points, 2109 people have been caught on the roads of Tayside. That compares with 3972 during the previous 18 months, when the penalty was a £30 fine and no points.

Sergeant Francis said, “The purpose of this campaign is to remind people doing this of the safety reasons behind the legislation, and the more people comply with it the better.”