177 Speeders Caught Last Weekend

24th July 2012

Police express frustration over the number of speeding drivers who continue to ignore warnings.

Northern Constabulary's Head of Road Policing has expressed frustration that many motorists are continuing to speed and put other road users lives at risk, despite repeated warnings.
Inspector Derek Paterson's observations follow the weekend's national ACPOS-led enforcement campaign against those who drive at excessive or inappropriate speeds.

A total of 177 drivers were detected speeding between 0700 on Friday and 0700 on Monday morning. Three of those drivers were reported for alleged dangerous driving and one for alleged careless driving.

Officers stopped one car on the A832 which was travelling at 115 in a 60mph limit, another on the A9 at the Dornoch Bridge doing 103mph in a 60 and another two on the A9 at Daviot, which were both travelling at over 100mph. All four drivers were reported to the Procurator Fiscal.During the weekend officers also reported two drivers for drink driving offences, one on the A9 at Carrbridge who was twice the legal limit and one at Balintore who was three times the legal limit. Police also detected 12 seatbelt offences, one exhaust offence and issued fixed penalties to three people for using their mobile phones whilst driving.

Head of Road Policing, Inspector Derek Paterson said: "It is very frustrating to see the number of motorists who continue to drive at excessive speed on our roads, despite repeated warnings. There is still a hardcore of motorists who put themselves and the lives of others at risk by driving at speed.

"The links between excessive speed and collisions causing death or serious injury are clear. Speeding is dangerous, costly and unacceptable. The results from the campaign highlight the need for Police to continue our focus on irresponsible drivers, to make sure speed limits are acknowledged and the roads are made safer for people in the Highlands and Islands."

Speeding carries a minimum penalty of a £60 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence however, if you are convicted of dangerous driving, you will lose your licence for at least 12 months and you may be ordered to re-sit your driving test.

The campaign was being supported by the Northern Safety Camera Partnership.