Review urged as 'blue light' accident figures revealed

Published on Sunday 9 March 2008 23:35

NINE people have died in accidents involving emergency services vehicles in Scotland over the past five years, figures released yesterday revealed.

Statistics show that so-called "blue light" vehicles have been involved in 5,431 accidents over the same period, resulting in 55 serious injuries.

The figures, which exclude the fire service, were revealed by the transport minister, Stewart Stevenson, in answer to a parliamentary question tabled by Margaret Smith MSP, the Liberal Democrats' justice spokeswoman.

As well as police cars and ambulances, "blue light" refers to a range of vehicles responding to emergencies, including those of the mountain rescue service.

Ms Smith has written to key figures in the justice sector, asking them to look at how the number of accidents can be cut.

She said: "The fact that emergency service vehicles are the cause of so many accidents and fatalities is extremely concerning.

"These figures indicate that we need a serious look at what can be done to reduce the number of accidents that they are involved in. I have written to both the justice secretary and the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, calling for a review of the procedures used by emergency service vehicles to look into how accidents can be minimised."