Bill Kidd, SNP MSP for Glasgow, has today (Tuesday 6th January) welcomed figures that show a marked decrease – by almost a third - in the number of drink and drug drivers during the Strathclyde Police’s Festive Road Safety Campaign.

The total number of arrests for the campaign, which began on Monday 8th December 2008, stands at 280, compared to 394 during the same period last year.

Commenting, Mr. Kidd said: "Drink and drug driving continues to be a major cause of deaths and injuries on the roads, especially over the festive period. This reduction in the number of arrests in the Strathclyde area is obviously great news for Glasgow.

"This decrease marks excellent progress in the Scottish Government’s commitment to a safer Scotland, which of course extends to road-safety.

"There is still work to be done as every drink and drug driving arrest is one too many. As such, the Scottish Government believes that the drink driving limit should be reduced from 80 mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood to make Scotland’s roads further safer and will continue to put pressure on the UK Government to reduce the limit.

"This is an excellent start to the New Year and marks the continued commitment of the Scottish Government, alongside Scotland’s police forces, to a safer Scotland.