Grampian Police launched their four-week Festive Safety Campaign as part of the national Association of Chief Police Officers for Scotland (ACPOS) campaign. The campaign ran from Monday 7 December 2009 until Monday 4 January 2010.

Chief Inspector Ian Wallace, Head of Road Policing in Grampian said:

"The Festive Safety Campaign is about all types of safety on our roads during the Christmas and New Year period. While there is an obvious and expected focus on drinking and drug driving, we are also encouraging pedestrian safety, as there will be many additional people on north east streets celebrating and socialising during the Festive period.

"Our zero tolerance of drinking and driving should come as no surprise and over the next few weeks, Police Officers will be active in seeking out drink and drug drivers, using road traffic law to maximum effect. The simple message is not to drink and drive and to think about alternatives methods of transport which can be used.

"The implications of a drink driving conviction are huge, a probable driving ban, a monetary fine, the impact on you and your family, the stigma of having a conviction for this offence and your ability to get to work or even do your weekly shopping.

"If you drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs and are involved in a road traffic collision which causes the death of another road user, upon conviction, you will in all probability face a period in jail. "Ask yourself the question, does taking a chance and driving home from a Christmas or New Year Party after a few drinks sound acceptable now? "If you drive after consuming alcohol or drugs you greatly increase your risk of involvement in a road traffic collision as your senses and reaction times can be significantly impaired. "This year for the first time, drivers who have a previous conviction for drink/drug offenders risk having their vehicle forfeited by the Court if they are convicted of a similar offence. Vehicles will be seized and sold and the message is clear that we want to rid our roads of these irresponsible drivers.

During the Festive Safety Campaign, fifty eight drink drivers were caught. Two of these drivers forfeited their vehicles, because they were repeat offenders.