Motorist offences crackdown snares 3,200 drivers

POLICE Scotland said today it was “regrettable” that 3,239 drivers had been caught breaking the law in the new national force’s first motoring crackdown.

Police are keen to trace anyone who may have been in the area at the time. Picture: Ian Georgeson

• “Regrettable” that over 3,200 drivers caught in Police Scotland crackdown for motoring offences, say police

• 2,027 across Scotland caught speeding during four-day campaign

• One incident saw 18-month-old baby injured after mother with buggy was reversed into by driver, 80

A total of 2,027 drivers across Scotland were caught speeding during the four-day campaign which ended yesterday, with other offences including 12 of dangerous driving and 57 of careless driving.

The force also said it was “frustrating” so many motorists had broken the speed limit despite the high visibility of speed camera vans, which recorded 700 offences.

Incidents included a motorcyclist caught doing more than 100mph, several drivers caught doing twice the speed limit outside schools and a 26-year-old driver nearly three times over the drink drive limit in Grangemouth.

In Hamilton, an 18-month-old boy suffered bruising after an 80-year-old man reversed a car out of his drive and collided with a woman pushing a buggy.

Police Scotland head of road policing Superintendent Iain Murray said: “It is regrettable so many drivers have not taken heed of our road safety messages despite all of our warnings and have been detected during this initiative.

“We cannot tolerate such selfish and inconsiderate actions on our roads.”

Launching the crackdown on Monday, transport Minister Keith Brown had said: “This Scotland-wide initiative will help keep up momentum and send out a strong message that offences such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or using a mobile phone will not be tolerated.”