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Wednesday, 4th November 2009 Change Date Latest Issue

Police to warn drink-drive suspects named by public

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Published Date: 15 July 2009
By ALAN McEWEN
MOTORISTS suspected of drink-driving by members of the public are to be sent warnings by police in the Lothians, even if they have not been caught.
The move is part of the annual drink-driving campaign and comes after it emerged a mother was charged with being twice over the limit in Edinburgh after being caught behind the wheel of her car with her three-month-old daughter in the back seat.

The 26-year-old woman was stopped by police after being spotted driving erratically in Baileyfield Road, Portobello in the early hours of the morning. Officers found the baby asleep in the rear of the vehicle after it was pulled over last Thursday before breathalysing the woman.

The woman is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at the end of the month.

That arrest was one of 14 made by Lothian and Borders Police during the first week of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland's (Acpos) summer drink-drugs driving campaign, which began last Monday.

Officers said they would continue their efforts to detect offenders over the second week, with marked and unmarked patrols taking place across the area.

As well as enforcement action, the force is using a Bluetooth transmission device to send a short message to mobile phones with an anti drink/drug-drive message at locations including shopping centres and at public events.

Also, letters will be sent to the owners of vehicles seen and suspected of drink-driving by members of the public.

A police spokesman said: "We are determined to drive the message home that drink-driving will not be tolerated, and we have in place a comprehensive enforcement plan.

We would also encourage members of the public to report to us anyone they suspect of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs."

The Lothian arrests in the last week included a 36-year-old man who was pulled over in Edinburgh last Tuesday after he was spotted driving while holding an "insecure load" on top of his car.

After being breathalysed, he was allegedly found to be twice over the limit.

Another man, aged 44, was allegedly three times over the limit when he was caught speeding on the A1 in East Lothian last Monday.

Across Scotland, the first week of the campaign saw 122 people charged with drink-driving offences – a figure down almost 17 per cent on the previous year's results.

A total of 22 of those were involved in collisions and a further 100 were stopped for suspected drink-driving. In addition, nine motorists were found to be driving under the influence of drugs.





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  • Last Updated: 15 July 2009 9:37 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Ctebe,

Edinburgh 15/07/2009 10:12:22
Shades of the Stasi! Once you start encouraging members of the public to shop their neighbours, you've got the thin end of a very big wedge.

Of course, they're already doing this Down South as part of the War against Terror, so you could say it's not the start of the wedge, but part way along it....

(That said, driving while in no fit state is a Bad Thing)
2

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 15/07/2009 12:10:25
#1:

The wedge of which you speak has already been driven quite a way in, in case you hadn't noticed.

10-15 years ago, it was the job of the police to enforce the law. Now it seems that it is the job of bar staff, shop assistants, passers by and neighbours to enforce the law.

The nazi culture of shopping your oppo has already taken hold and is already rife.
3

A Friend of Fernando Poo,

15/07/2009 12:21:06
I regularly phone in the plates and direction of folks driving erratically around pub chucking-out time. If they want to drink, they should damn well walk.
4

Duncan in Edinburgh,

15/07/2009 12:23:00
#2 Oh grow up. These aren't political opponents being "shopped" - they are people risking the lives of their families, friends and the public. Any opportunity to take them off the road should be grasped.
5

hjon,

edinburgh 15/07/2009 12:29:52
#3 Good for you Labour supporter. Now get a life.
6

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 15/07/2009 12:59:47
Duncan,

You just don't get it do you? I'm not saying that drunken drivers should be able to get away with it. I was actually commenting on the point raised by Ctebe in that people are being encouraged to shop others. If you look again, you'll see the characters "#1:" at the top of my post which means that it should be read in conjunction with, or as a response to the post numbered "1" in sequence within these comments. I'm sorry if it's confusing.

When I was at school, you were known as a "tell-tale tît" or a creep if you went around shopping people. That practice was even actively discouraged by teachers as well---"Don't tell tales" was a common response.

Whilst there is no harm in reporting serious matters like housebreaking, assault and yes, drink-driving, it is not right that people are being encouraged to snitch on their neighbours for trivia or to be instrumental in enforcing laws. THAT is the point that Ctebe and I were raising. If you disagree then fine. No problem. Argue your case. However at least have the courtesy to actually read the posts you are arguing about.
7

Eighteen Seventy-Four,

15/07/2009 13:02:42

So I can accuse anyone of drunk driving, they will then receive a Police letter and have their car marked as a possible drink driver.

Not open for abuse at all.
8

Brian Ferrari,

15/07/2009 13:10:06
Think I'll send a letter to the Chief Constable warning him of the dangers of drink driving. And warning him not to download any kiddieporn from the internet as well.
9

Duncan in Edinburgh,

15/07/2009 13:14:26
#6 I understand what the numbers mean, and my response was at this sentence from your screed: "The nazi culture of shopping your oppo has already taken hold and is already rife."

As ever, you are using the "like the Nazis" comparison, and my point is that this is not about shopping political opponents, which is what the Nazis encouraged, but shopping people who are a severe danger to themselves and others.

So just to be clear again, I'm going to respond to this part of your latest post:

"Whilst there is no harm in reporting serious matters like housebreaking, assault and yes, drink-driving, it is not right that people are being encouraged to snitch on their neighbours for trivia"

and say that I am glad you agree that reporting suspected drink drivers is appropriate, and not in the least akin to Nazism!
10

ValdasTheMan,

Edinburgh 15/07/2009 13:29:39
I thought the police were cutting back on bureaucracy to release more officers onto the streets.

Why aren't these extra officers seen outside bars at closing time? Nothing heavy, in a car across the street, simple deterrent. Make folk think twice about driving to the pub.

It should be the job for the police to ensure laws adherred to. Whilst something like Crimestoppers has a place, sending letters to people who have been reported by the public is not the answer. If there is a tip-off, investigate it. Obviously police time is limited, therefore cases treated on a priority level.

As for the woman in question, complete stupidity, she'll hopefully get what she deserves.
11

Micjonger,

15/07/2009 13:57:39
It is the duty of every citizen of this country to report any lawbreakers or suspected lawbreakers to the authorities - but only the authorities can pull the trigger.
12

Solo Lobo,

15/07/2009 14:25:49
What happens when the registered keeper of a motor vehicle was not the driver?

Will this mean that innocent people will receive a warning notice?

What basis in law will this warning notice have, and what effects on the recipient will result from it?

What has happened to "innocent until proven guilty", "due process" and PROOF?

What redress will those who received such a notice but were in fact innocent have?

This is yet another example of the ever encroaching Police State.
13

saltnsauce,

15/07/2009 16:01:59
Another waste of time, bluetooth messages in shoppin centres? YUP, we all go to asda and get reeking, then chuck the bairns in the front seat wi nay seatbelt on , then go for a drive , great stuff. You get a mobile phone for personal use , not for the bizzies te bug ye wi stupit messages when yer oot for yer bread and milk
14

Wingman,

Edinburgh 15/07/2009 16:07:41
12# Aye you go for it Tony, Slaver....
15

tumshie heid,

15/07/2009 18:07:01
More state sponsored madness.
How about the police doing their jobs instead of encouraging jobsworth civilians to go around interfering?
People like the friels from yesterdays nursery story won't be able to contain themselves with their new found power to disrupt peoples lives.
16

The Ayrshire Bard,

15/07/2009 18:27:06
Although I don't touch a drop when I'm driving nowadays I remember with some horror the casual attitude we used to have to drinking and driving. I lived for a while in the south in the 60's and regularly attended meetings that involved the chief constable. His driver spent the evening in the bar having 2 or 3 pints and always signalled to me when he was leaving with his boss so that I could follow along close behind them.
Not many of my generation can point the finger of blame to those who drink and drive but I believe that most of us have realised how stupid we were.
17

Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 15/07/2009 21:48:41
Duncan,

For the record, the Nazis in Germany during the mid to late 1930s did not just want people to shop political opponents. They basically wanted people to shop anyone who dared to behave in a "non-Ayran" manner, as well as for beliefs, nationality and habits. They also expected the general public to enforce their oppressive laws.

If you do not think that is happening here, have a look at the regulation "no smoking" signs next time you are in a public place. If I am not mistaken then they say something about how to report people and it is, I believe, a legal requirement to put that information on the sign. Nazi state? Yes. I think so.
18

Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 15/07/2009 22:12:02
Tony:

If you received one of these letters, I would be in a state of alarm, fear, and annoyance, since you do not have a licence.

 

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