The number of people caught driving under the influence in the Banff and Buchan area has soared by more than 50% in the past year.
The figures emerged from a Police Scotland report on crime in the area, which will be discussed by councillors this week.
This revealed that the number of recorded drink and drug driving offences surged from 30 from April to September 2014, to 46 a year later – an increase of 53%.
Last year, the area was ranked as having the most dangerous roads in the UK, with residents having a 111% higher chance than the national average of being killed or seriously injured.
Committee member, Councillor Ross Cassie, a former traffic policeman, described the increase as “unacceptable”.
He added: “Any increase in drink driving is obviously unacceptable, not only are they risking their own lives, they’re risking the lives of all other road users, including pedestrians.
“I have no doubt this could partly be down to the recent change in the legislation, but I think it shows there’s only one safe drink-driving limit, and that’s absolutely no alcohol whatsoever.
“It’s fair to say, albeit there’s a statutory limit, that everybody’s limit is different and it’s different every day as well.”
Mr Cassie, who has also worked as a driving instructor and a driving test examiner, said the issue created a “dangerous cocktail” when combined with the challenges posed by the region’s rural roads.
And he declared that driver education was the key to ensuring the problem could be tackled effectively in the future.
He added: “The limit can be reduced to zero, but people will still drink and drive.
“Even when the limit was higher, there was a reduction generally over the years, so obviously, education has worked in the past, and it’s about reinforcing that message.
“Having dealt with fatal road collisions in my previous career as a policeman, including those caused by drink-driving, I know the misery it can cause families.”
The report will go before the Banff and Buchan area committee tomorrow.