Police stop nearly 300 drivers for offences on NC500
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Police officers have spoken to nearly 300 road users during dedicated patrols on the North Coast 500 over three days.
The operation - carried out by locally based road policing officers along with colleagues from elsewhere in Scotland - was aimed at carrying out enforcement on the route, as well as offering advice to foreign drivers.
A total of 285 vehicles were stopped on the A9, A99 A835, A836 and the A838 in Caithness and Sutherland.
This resulted in 41 offences which were dealt with by way of a fixed penalty and reports to the Procurator Fiscal, while a further 118 drivers were warned regarding motoring offences.
The main offence detected was speeding with 18 offences and 67 warnings being given.
Road Policing Sergeant Gus Murray said: "Despite it being later in the summer season, the NC500 continues to attract a large number of visitors and local communities continue to raise concerns with about the manner of driving on the route.
"A large number of the drivers stopped were not used to driving on single track roads and advice was given regarding not holding up following traffic. We also distributed Driving in Scotland leaflets and wrist bands to the foreign drivers stopped, and they all appeared to appreciate the advice given to them."
Sergeant Murray added: "Disappointingly a large number of offences were detected while carrying out enforcement work on the route.
"These offences included careless driving, using a mobile telephone, failing to wear a seat belt, no insurance, no driving licence as well as other road traffic offences.
"Of the 41 offences that were detected 18 of those were for speeding, mainly in 30mph limits.
"This included a 19-year-old male who has been reported for driving at 55mph in a 30mph limit and an hour later was again stopped for speeding at another location by the same officers."
"The popularity of the NC500 means that visitors are attending all year round we will continue to carry out dedicated patrols in order to positively influence driver behaviour of visitors and local residents alike."
