POLICE are urging people to report motorists who get behind the wheel while under the influence of drink or drugs...even if the culprit is from their own family.

The plea has been issued after one in 28 motorists who were pulled over during this summer’s drink and drug-driving campaign were found to be unfit for the roads.

Superintendent Simon Bradshaw, deputy head of road policing, revealed a number of offenders were caught after their loved ones had raised the alarm.

And he is hoping that, in the months to come, more people will come forward to provide information about relatives, friends or colleagues who are putting lives at risk.

“It is disappointing to see that, despite our advice and that of our road safety partners, some people are still willing to put themselves and other innocent members of the public at risk by drink or drug-driving,” said Mr Bradshaw.

“Drink or drug-driving is known to be a contributory factor in serious injury and fatal collisions. By driving under the influence of drink or drugs, your actions could be responsible for causing someone’s death or your own, leaving behind grieving family and friends.

“We continue to see a number of drivers reported to us by family members, friends or colleagues and I want to thank people who had the courage to report drink or drug-drivers to us.

“This information helps our officers to act quickly to stop drivers under the influence before they seriously injure or kill someone and I would continue to encourage reporting of such unacceptable behaviour to us.”

This summer’s campaign was the first to take place since Police Scotland introduced roadside drug testing in October last year.

Anyone who has information about drink or drug-driving is asked to pass this on to the police by calling 101.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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