Highland Police Speeding Blitz Weekend 20 - 23 July

17th July 2012

Northern Constabulary enforcement campaign to target speeding motorists on roads in Highlands and Islands.

Northern Constabulary joins Scotland's other forces this weekend in an enforcement campaign against those who drive at excessive or inappropriate speeds.

Head of Road Policing, Inspector Derek Paterson is urging drivers to reduce their speed on the roads of the Highlands and Islands and in turn help save lives and reduce the number of collisions.

Inspector Paterson said that there is a clear and established link between speeding and crashes, which cause death or serious injury.

Police from the Force Road Policing Unit and officers across the Highlands and Islands are set to crack down on those who put their own lives and lives of others at risk by ignoring speed limits or by driving inappropriately for the conditions and surroundings.

From Friday 20 July until Monday 23 July, officers will support the weekend of action, which is being co-ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS).

The campaign is part of the Scottish Police Service's year-round commitment to reduce the number of casualties on our roads. Speeding has long been accepted as a major cause of accidents, a factor regularly highlighted by ACPOS and Northern Constabulary.

Head of the Force's Road Policing Unit, Inspector Derek Paterson, said: "In every case of speeding or inappropriate driving, offenders are potentially putting their lives and the lives of others at risk and this is totally unacceptable.

"Speeding carries a minimum penalty of a £60 fine and 3 penalty points on your driving licence. If convicted of dangerous driving, you could lose your licence for at least 12 months and you may be ordered to re-sit your 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 everyone safe."