News

23 August 2007
POLICE CHIEFS TO SPEEDING YOUNG MOTORISTS: 'IT'S YOUR LIFE AND OTHERS AT STAKE - SLOW DOWN!'

ONE IN EVERY THREE fatalities on Scotland’s roads during the first half of 2007 involves a young person under 25 compared to one in every four last year, according to an analysis carried out by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS).

Road fatality data compiled by all eight Scottish police forces has revealed that despite   all the efforts of the Scottish Executive, Road Safety Scotland and the Scottish Police Service, there has only been two fewer road fatalities during the first six months of 2007 when compared to the same period in 2006 but 10 more fatalities involving motorists under 25 years of age – a 28 per cent increase.

In an effort to drive home the message, all eight Scottish police forces are taking part in a three-day ‘Rural Road Awareness Weekend’, organised by ACPOS, from Friday, 24 August to Sunday, 26 August. Scotland’s motorists are being urged to slow down as many rural roads are not designed for the speeds that some drivers attempt to reach.

The campaign, the second in a series of four special ‘Days of Action’ during 2007-08 designed to make Scottish motorists more aware of the dangers of driving too fast on the country’s rural roads. They will see high visibility policing patrols on the country’s rural roads for three days targeting drivers of all ages and for all offences but particularly the under 25s, who speed or choose not to wear a seatbelt.

Chief Constable John Vine, Chair of the ACPOS Road Policing Business Area, said:
“ACPOS and the Scottish Police Service are concerned about the number of young drivers who have lost their lives or been seriously injured this year.

“With regard to speeding, I would urge all motorists to be aware of the associated dangers, especially in the countryside, where a high proportion of serious crashes occur.

‘‘This campaign is about raising awareness of these issues and leaving people in no doubt that the police are out there targeting this sort of behaviour, day in and day out.”

Mr. Vine concluded:  ''Our message is simple - Don’t risk it! The consequences are not only points on your licence and a fine but potentially death or serious injury.”

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said:  “I welcome the joint action from Scotland’s eight police forces on this. We have all seen the devastating consequences of accidents involving young drivers such as we witnessed in Fife last week.  Sadly, too many young drivers are still taking unnecessary risks and putting lives in danger.

“I recently announced that I will be bringing together interested parties from across Scotland to advise on what further measures we can take to tackle road safety. 

“Meanwhile, I hope that this campaign and today’s statistics from the police will be a wake up call to those who continue to take risks in the misguided assumption that it won’t happen to them.”