Shocking new figures have unveiled the drink-driving shame of Tayside and Fife, one week before new limits come into force.
Motorists in Kirkcaldy and Dundee are among the most likely in the UK to have convictions for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Figures released by comparison site MoneySuperMarket.com show that Courier Country features twice in the top 20 list of the country’s most guilty drivers.
Experts analysed around 11 million car insurance quotes from the last 12 months and revealed the postcodes with the highest rate of convicted motorists.
Kirkcaldy is the seventh most likely place for residents to have committed a drink or drug-driving offence, with rates of 1.7 convictions per 1,000 drivers, while Dundee has 1.56 offences per 1,000 drivers.
MoneySuperMarket.com car insurance expert Kevin Pratt believes this figure could rise when new lower drink-drive limits are introduced on December 5.
He said: “With five Scottish postcodes featuring in our top 20, it will be interesting to see what effect the new, lower drink-drive limit will have.
“Many drivers are already being caught and convicted for drink and drug-driving and many more could get caught out by the change in the law.”
Mr Pratt said there was “no excuse” for driving while under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances.
He added: “All right-minded people understand that drink or drug-driving is wrong and wrong on so many levels.
“First and foremost, an intoxicated driver puts the lives of others at risk, whether they are drivers, pedestrians, or passengers in his or her own car.
“So why do people still get behind the wheel with a drink inside them?
“In a rural location, it could be the lack of public transport and the misguided belief they won’t get caught, or maybe motorists are driving the morning after the night before, when they still have excess alcohol in their system.
“Whatever the circumstances, the fact remains that driving while over the limit is always illegal there is simply no excuse.”
Meanwhile, North East MSP Christian Allard said the new lower limit will send out a “clear message” to motorists.
“Drink-driving has been a scourge on Scotland’s roads for too long, leading to completely unnecessary injuries and deaths, devastating families and communities across the country,” he said.
“Lowering the blood alcohol limit will make our roads safer, save lives and prevent more families from having to deal with losing a loved one as a result of drink-driving.”