A drink-driving crackdown that will see 10,000 officers carry out spot checks just weeks before Christmas has been slammed by the Scottish Conservatives.
Police Scotland is warning motorists not to touch a single drop of alcohol the night before they get behind the wheel as part of a hard-hitting new campaign.
The public information drive is being launched this week ahead of the introduction of a lower drink-driving limit on December 5.
Scottish Tory transport spokesman, North-east MSP Alex Johnstone, bemoaned the decision to allocate so many officers, claiming the move was aimed at hitting targets.
However, high-level police representatives have defended the policy, saying the message of the campaign is that “zero” alcohol is the only safe amount.
Mr Johnstone said: “We have a Scottish Government that thinks it’s acceptable and a wise use of resources to pull over thousands of innocent motorists every day to fulfil a target.
“People will see this as frankly incredible and a choice of resources which will mean many police officers can’t get on and do the things the public expect them to.”
The new limit of 50mg in 100ml of blood is one of the lowest in Europe and equivalent to a small glass of wine.
Head of road policing Chief Superintendent Iain Murray said: “No matter how much you feel you’re OK, you have changed your ability from when you were in your fully alert, fully sober stage.
“If you’re going to drink tonight, don’t drive in the morning.”
The campaign will run to January 2.