MORE than 30 people were caught drink or drug driving in Inverclyde and Renfrewshire over the festive period.

Police say the number of people flouting the law has risen over the last year.

Checks were stepped up between December 2 through to January 2, and more people were caught.

Inspector Gillian Gardner, from the Road Policing Unit – Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, told the Telegraph: “There is no doubt that driving under the influence of drink and or drugs impairs your ability to drive, often resulting in far-reaching and devastating consequences. 

“It defies logic that people still put their own lives and those of others at risk by drink or drug driving on our roads.

“Throughout the festive period, road policing officers have been carrying out patrols and road checks across Renfrewshire and Inverclyde to detect those who persist in this dangerous behaviour.”

Inverclyde and Renfrewshire were in the middle of the west of Scotland league table with 33 offenders, lower than Greater Glasgow at 94, Lanarkshire, 79 and Ayrshire at 37 but higher than Argyll and West Dunbartonshire at 20.

Police were unable to provide separate figures for the district only, but the overall figure rose from 2.8 per cent to to 3.3 per cent.

Inspector Gardner says police will still be pursuing motorists flouting the law and urged caution on the roads, with a dip in temperatures forecast and difficult driving conditions expected.

She said: “While the drink-drive campaign is over, road safety remains a priority for us and we will continue to patrol the region’s roads to detect anyone who flouts the law.

“We are also advising motorists to be aware that we are still in the middle of winter and adverse weather can affect driving conditions, so it’s important motorists take care when driving and ensure that their vehicle is safe and fit for driving.”