Don’t let Christmas spirits land you in the dock

The height of the festive season brings celebrations, parties and plenty of festive travel. It also coincides with Police Scotland’s annual Festive Drink & Drug Drive Campaign, which is currently underway across Scotland.

Officers are stepping up both breath-testing and roadside drug checks, aiming to prevent people from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs over the Christmas and Hogmanay period.

In recent days, Police Scotland reported that in the North-East alone, twelve individuals were arrested for drink or drug-driving over the course of a weekend. These statistics underline why the campaign is so important.

During the 2024–25 festive enforcement campaign, Police Scotland carried out thousands of breath and drug tests and spoke with over 25,000 drivers; their message was clear: “Police Scotland will keep targeting drink and drug drivers and we know how important this is to the public”

Aside from the clear public safety aspects, the legal consequences of being prosecuted for drink/drug-driving in Scotland are significant, with mandatory disqualifications, substantial fines and potential custodial sentences at risk.

Our Road Traffic Defence team at BTO has extensive experience representing clients facing allegations across the full spectrum of road traffic offences, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If you, or someone you know, encounters a road-traffic, criminal or regulatory issue over the holiday period, early expert advice can make all the difference. Contact our team for support and guidance tailored to your circumstances.

From all of us at BTO – have a safe, happy and responsibly-celebrated festive season!