JUST hours after Scotland's new drink drive rules came into force police had arrested the first Glasgow driver caught over the limit.

During a road stop operation this morning, dozens of motorists on the South Side were pulled over and quizzed by police.

Officers gave information about the new, stricter limits and breathalysed drivers.

A 48-year-man was the first in Glasgow to be arrested under the new laws during the operation on Cathcart Road.

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: "Despite extensive advertising of this campaign we have still found someone at half past eight in the morning who would appear to be over the drink drive limit.

"Anyone who gets behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol shows a complete and utter disregard for the safety of others."

Tough new drink driving laws came into effect at midnight, making the legal drink-drive limit in Scotland lower than elsewhere in the UK.

The change reduces the legal alcohol limit from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood.

Scots caught drink driving face maximum penalties of six months in prison, a driving ban of at least a year and a fine of up to £5000.

The same apply to anyone who refuses to give a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis.

Police and road safety campaigners have said an average of 20 people die on Scotland's roads each year as a result of collisions involving people who were driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

A further 90 were seriously injured and 340 slightly injured as a result of drink-driving related collisions last year.