347 speeding drivers caught in Scotland in one day

POLICE have expressed astonishment at catching 347 drivers speeding during Wednesday’s one-day crackdown amid snow across much of Scotland.

• 347 speeding drivers caught on Wednesday alone

• 207 other driving offences logged

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) said the country’s eight forces had also logged 207 other offences, including drivers using mobile phones or failing to wear seatbelts.

Motorists stopped include a 4x4 driver who allegedly swerved “violently” to avoid colliding with a lorry when overtaking in heavy snow beside a filling station at Tullibody in Clackmannanshire.

Another driver was caught doing 82mph in a 50mph zone in Livingston, while a third was caught at 70mph in the 40mph zone near Edinburgh airport and also failed a breath test.

Superintendent Denise Mulvaney, of Lothian and Borders Police, who is in charge of casualty reduction for Acpos, said: “I find it astonishing that despite the difficult driving conditions we have experienced this week, drivers are still prepared to risk the lives of other road users by driving at excessive speed.

“This day of action on speeding and inappropriate drivers was the latest in the series of national Acpos campaigns, and as can be seen from the figures, far too many drivers continue to drive at excessive speed on the roads of Scotland on a daily basis, potentially putting their lives and the lives of others at risk each time.”