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Highlands see highest number of drug-driving offences recorded by Police Scotland over festive period





The Highlands had the highest number of drug-driving offences recorded in Scotland during the festive period, according to a police report.

Police found an increase in drinking and drug-use driving
Police found an increase in drinking and drug-use driving

Figures from Police Scotland’s most recent festive drink and drug driving campaign - which ran from December 1, 2024 to January 19, 2025 - show that 85 offences for driving while under the influence of a controlled drug above the prescribed limit recorded in the Highlands and Islands, with 83 in Lanarkshire and 75 in the North East Division.

The number of drink-driving offences recorded was also among the highest in the country (36), coming after Greater Glasgow (60), Lanarkshire (50) and the North East (42).

This comes as Police Scotland reported that they carried out more breath tests and more roadside drug tests during the 2024/25 campaign than in previous years, with 4,779 breath tests and 963 drug wipes conducted by police officers across the country.

The Highlands and Islands division was fourth for total offences (145), with the most offences recorded in Greater Glasgow (198), Lanarkshire (191) and the North East (156).

This is a sharp increase of drink and drug driving offences recorded in the area in comparison from last year (89) - jumping up by more than 60 per cent.

It comes as the overall number of breath tests across Scotland has gone up by almost 50 per cent and drug wipes have doubled (481) compared to the 2023/2024 campaign.

As part of the campaign, road policing and local Policing officers worked together to target and deter drink and drug drivers by carrying out proactive patrols, speaking to drivers and raising awareness in communities, using data to target key areas, responding to information from members of the public and setting up roadside checks.

Over 25,000 drivers were stopped as part of the campaign.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of Road Policing, said: “Police Scotland will keep targeting drink and drug drivers and we know how important this is to the public.

“My message to people thinking about driving after taking drugs or alcohol is you will get caught. Our officers are out every day, we will arrest you and that will affect you for the rest of your life. It’s your choice and it can have a devastating impact on other road users. It changes people’s lives and it is avoidable.

“Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign and please continue to speak to family and friends to encourage changing the behaviour of drivers.”




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