Police To Target Illegal Drivers In Huge Enforcement Campaign

6th November 2013

Police and Crimestoppers to take part in initiative to target illegal drivers.

As of 07:00 hours on Monday 4 November 2013 until 07:00 hours on Monday 11 November 2013, Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division and Crimestoppers Highlands and Islands will be taking part in a national joint initiative to target illegal drivers.

Illegal driving offences include drink/drug drivers, disqualified drivers, insurance and licence offences, and associated vehicles driven such as no MOT.

Information provided by the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) has shown that uninsured and untraced drivers are responsible for approximately 130 fatal collisions and 26,500 injury collisions each year in the UK.

Since the 1 April 2013, Police Scotland has detected over 10,000 uninsured drivers, all of whom continue to be a financial burden on the majority of drivers who choose to abide by the law.

Whilst drink/drug driving is seen as unacceptable by members of the public there are still those who choose to drive whilst under the influence. Since 1 April 2013, Police Scotland has detected over 1,500 offenders, many of which are the result of reports received by police from members of the public.

Whilst police in the Highlands and Islands, including the Divisional Road Policing Unit, continue to tackle illegal driving and maintain a high visibility presence on the road, police still rely on the support provided to them from the public.

Highland and Islands Divisional Road Policing Inspector Neil Lumsden said:

"The public always have been and always will be the eyes and ears of the police. Each day police officers across the Highlands and Islands detect motorists driving illegally. Many of these detections are as a result of routine stop checks carried out by officers. This weeks initiative is about asking the public to continue to help us detect illegal drivers by raising awareness of the Crimestoppers charity which allows people to report anonymously.

"Police in the Highlands and Islands have always benefited from strong public support and during this summer's drink drive initiative back in June, 9 drink drivers were caught as a result of phone calls made by members of the public.

"Road safety is everyone's responsibility and I would encourage the public to make that call to police on 101 or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, if you are aware of someone driving illegally, whether that be under the influence of drink or drugs, without a licence, insurance or disqualified, and help us to keep people safe on the roads in the Highlands and Islands."

Chairman of Crimestoppers Highlands and Islands, Jim Ferguson said:"We do understand that there may be circumstances where phoning the police to report an incident may not feel like an option that is available to you. Crimestoppers allows members of the public to report matters, such as someone driving whilst disqualified or drunk in control of a moving vehicle, anonymously. We will never reveal your identity."