POLICE stopped nearly 500 motorists across two administrative areas of Argyll and Bute over the festive season, it has been reported.
The annual festive drink driving campaign saw enforcement take place across Oban Lorn and the Isles, and Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands.
Eight drivers are reported to have tested positive for drink or drugs, with officers saying that they have been dealt with accordingly.
The details feature in a report which will go before Argyll and Bute Council’s Oban Lorn and the Isles (OLI) community planning group at its meeting on Wednesday, February 11.
It also went before the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands (MAKI) community planning group on Wednesday, February 4.
The document said: “Police efforts to drive down the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads focus on enforcement of the law; prevention through education and early intervention; and proactive, visible deterrents.
“Meanwhile, our partner agencies are responsible for influencing driver behaviour through the design, layout and overall infrastructure of the county’s roads.
“Our annual festive drink drive campaign resulted in almost 500 vehicles being stopped during the Christmas and New Year period in OLI and MAKI.
“Out of those 500 motorists stopped, eight tested positive for alcohol or drugs and were dealt with accordingly.
“It is of course reassuring that most road users are clearly behaving responsibly, but the results nevertheless highlight that a significant minority of individuals put the lives of others at risk through their own selfish decisions.”
The report also stated a reduction in serious assaults across the two administrative areas for at least the second year in a row, as figures currently stand.
It added: “So far this year there have been 11 serious assaults in our area, compared to 16 this time last year and 18 the year before. Seven of those have resulted in persons being charged.
“Common assaults remain at a consistent level, with many of them connected to the key area of domestic abuse, which remains a very real focus for us.
“Domestic abuse figures continue to rise, which we attribute to greater confidence of victim-survivors to report, and our staff being better trained and equipped to respond to such incidents.
“Sometimes, violence is connected to other crime types such as drugs supply and organised crime. However, it is often also associated with the consumption of alcohol and can frequently occur around our nighttime economy hotspots.
“We ensure patrols are in place around any premises causing particular concern and work closely with our licensing colleagues to ensure all venues are operating responsibly.”
