News

23 August 2010
POLICE TO CLAMP DOWN ON SPEED AND SEATBELTS

ON Monday 23 August 2010, Police forces across Scotland are focussing their attention on motorists’ who drive in excess of the speed limit. The 24 hour ‘Day of Action’ co-ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) is part of the Scottish Police Service’s year-round commitment to reduce the number of casualties on our roads.

The campaign is run to coincide with the start of the week in which most children return to school following the summer break.

Increased patrols in every force area, both marked and unmarked, will be on the look out for motorists breaking the law. In continuation of the year long focus on seat belt misuse, officers will also target all vehicle occupants who fail to wear a seatbelt or suitable restraint.

Chief Superintendent Charlie Common from Lothian and Borders Police who is the ACPOS lead on Casualty Reduction said:

“Previous days of action have shown that far too many motorists are willing to ignore speed limits and seat belt regulations.  This demonstrates a total disregard for road safety.

During this latest day of action the 8 Scottish Police Forces will be targeting motorists who continue to break the law.  Forces will be using marked and unmarked police vehicles, as well as carrying out static speed checks at identified hotspots.

The campaign is also used to highlight the danger to pedestrians, and in particular children, when they are involved in collisions.  If a driver hits a child at 20mph they have a 90% survival chance.  At 30mph this falls to 50% and at 40mph there is an 85% chance of the child being killed.  Motorists are urged to drive appropriately giving particular consideration to pedestrians and especially around schools now that the autumn term is just starting.”

For further information contact:
ACPOS Communications
0141 435 1240
communications@acpos.pnn.police.uk