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Police crack down on NC500 drivers


By Staff Reporter

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Police made checks on the NC500 running through Caithness.
Police made checks on the NC500 running through Caithness.

Officers from the Highland & Islands Road Policing Unit carried out dedicated road safety patrols on the NC500 route in Caithness on Friday and Saturday.

Patrols were carried out on the A9, A835 and A836 with 70 drivers receiving warnings and 39 being dealt with by way of a fixed penalty or a report to the Procurator Fiscal. Offences detected included dangerous driving, careless driving, speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving.

A 67 year old man also had his driving licence temporarily revoked after he failed a roadside eyesight test.

Road Policing Sergeant Gus Murray said: "The NC500 attracts a large number of tourists, many of whom are not from the local area and are not used to driving on the left or on single track roads.

"As part of the 'Drive on the Left' initiative we gave advice to motorists regarding driving on the roads in the Highland and Islands and handed out leaflets and wrist bands. This was well received by the drivers we spoke to who thought that it would be of assistance to them whilst driving in the area.

"We also carried out enforcement work and detected a range of offences including dangerous and careless driving, speeding and failing to wear a seatbelt as well as various other offences.

"We will continue to influence driver behaviour and enforce legislation regarding these offences. Drivers and riders need to be persuaded that driving at inappropriate speeds is not a minor, technical offence that everyone commits, but a serious, dangerous and antisocial activity. We will also continue to target other related maintenance offences that endanger road safety."


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