Speeding crackdown targets drivers

Feb 12 2013

Speeding drivers are to be targeted in a nationwide crackdown by police forces.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) said forces across the country will hold a day of action on Wednesday, with the aim of making the country's roads safer by catching out "inappropriate drivers".

As well as speeders, officers will be targeting uninsured and unlicensed drivers, those failing to use seatbelts or illegally using mobile phones or hand-held devices. They will also be on the lookout for vehicles which are not fit for the road.

Superintendent Denise Mulvaney, who leads on road policing for Lothian and Borders Police, said there is a clear link between speeding and fatal crashes or those which cause serious injury.

Acpos has set a road fatality reduction target of 30% by 2015, and 40% by 2020. It hopes to reduce serious casualties from road accidents by 43% by 2015, and 55% by 2020. The association said it is also seeking to cut child fatalities by 35% in the next two years, and 50% over the next seven.

"We know that almost 115,000 speeding offences were recorded in Scotland in 2010/11, which represents over a third of all motor vehicle offences," Ms Mulvaney said.

"Speeding is dangerous, costly and unacceptable. In every case of speeding or inappropriate driving, offenders are potentially putting their lives and the lives of others at risk - this is unacceptable.

"There are many ways in which drivers can put themselves and other roads users at risk - speeding, failing to obey traffic signals and signs and using a vehicle which is just not fit for the road."

She added: "Speeding carries a minimum penalty of a £60 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence. In extreme cases the driver may be convicted of dangerous driving, lose their licence for at least 12 months and may be ordered to resit the driving test.

"I would encourage all road users to respect the speed limits and drive appropriately for the road conditions and surroundings. The speed limits are there for a reason - to keep you and others safe and all officers will be vigilant to ensure they are obeyed."