Don’t let drink driving ruin your New Year

Mr Matheson said: “We know that thousands of Scots will be out celebrating this Hogmanay and we want them to have fun and enjoy themselves.

“By taking a few simple steps to plan ahead everyone ringing in the New Year, here, in the home of Hogmanay, can make sure they have a night to remember for all the right reasons.

“Plan your journey home ahead of time. Use public transport or get a designated driver but whatever you do — don’t drink and drive.

“It is also important to remember that after a night of drinking you could still be over the legal limit and not fit to drive the next day.”

Michael McDonnell, Director of Road Safety Scotland added: “Everyone should enjoy the party season but, if you plan to have even one drink, leave the car at home. The chance of being in a fatal collision increases significantly where alcohol and driving is concerned, so don’t risk it.”

Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, said: “Police stop around 20,000 drivers a month in Scotland; that’s one vehicle on average every two minutes.

“We will be increasing our enforcement throughout the festive period to discourage anyone thinking about drinking and driving, so the best advice is if you are planning to drink this New Year, don’t drive.”