Living in a rural community, you may feel as if you know the roads like the back of your hand. The roads are quieter with less distractions, so when it comes to having a night out you may think it is safe to have a couple of drinks and then drive home.
In reality, rural roads are windy, with blind spots and narrow stretches to travel – all potential hazards which can become deadly after a few drinks.
Michael McDonnell from Road Safety Scotland says: “We must reduce the belief among drivers that
open roads are safer than urban ones. Our statistics show that the way people drive on open roads can make them more dangerous than any other road type.”
Drink-driving remains a major contributory factor in crashes and fatalities on Scotland’s roads. Current statistics show that one in seven (40/286) of all deaths on Scottish roads involved drivers who were over the legal limit. This has led to an increased police presence on all Scotland’s roads, and with the power to breathalyse you for any minor traffic offence, such as having a broken brake light or failing to stop at a stop sign, it is even more likely that you will be caught if you risk drinking and driving.
“Especially within rural areas like the Borders, some people may be more inclined to take risks, but my advice would be don’t,” warns Inspector Alan Baird, head of Borders roads policing unit.
“If you’re going out drinking socially and driving, the only safe thing is to stick to soft drinks.
“Unfortunately, drink-driving is still out there in the Borders. We catch around three or four people every weekend across the region.”
Drivers caught drink-driving will not only receive an automatic driving ban of at least 12 months, and risk a £5,000 fine and six months in prison, but they will get a criminal record for the next 20 years or until they are 40 (whichever is longer).
The problem is not confined to the immediate risk of drink-driving in the evening, however, and many people are unaware of the fact that they may still be over the limit the next day.
Those caught driving over the limit the morning after face exactly the same penalties as if they had been caught the night before.
People who may lead exemplary lives professionally and privately, and would never dream of breaking the law, but get caught drink-driving, become ‘instant criminals’.
“My message would be – be responsible and plan ahead. That way you can enjoy your evenings out without worrying about driving home at the end of the night and without having to face the consequences of causing harm to yourself or other road users,” said Inspector Baird.
