A FESTIVE CRACKDOWN on drink driving and other motoring offences has seen 826 vehicles halted by police in Moray and Aberdeenshire.
As a result 20 drivers, 17 men and three women, have been reported for being over the legal limit with one male driver alleged to have been five times over the limit.
Another nine motorists were reported for using their mobile phones while driving – and 19 drivers were reported for speeding with police recording them at between 78 and 107mph on the A90 and A96.
Inspector Ewan Innes said: “The festive period is a time for families and friends to get together and quite often this involves travelling to destinations all over the UK.
“I would remind all road users of the need to stay safe, whether you are a driver or vulnerable road user such as a cyclist or pedestrian. It is disappointing that once again I have to report on the small minority of drivers who continue to put the lives of others at risk by driving at speeds which are illegal and completely inappropriate for the conditions.
“Of those who were detected speeding last weekend, two males aged 23 and 25 years were reported for driving at 100mph and 107mph on the A96 near Huntly on Saturday afternoon.
“We are only too well aware of the consequences that driving in this manner can have and to drive at these speeds on a busy two-way road is completely irresponsible.”
Inspector Innes added that over the next two weeks patrols will be carrying out further road checks in connection with the festive safety campaign, saying: “We do these at all times of the day and night, particularly during early morning periods.
“The safety of road users is a leading priority for Aberdeenshire and Moray and this is reflected in the ongoing work under Operation CEDAR where we will continue to target and report those motorists who continue to compromise the safety of others and themselves.”