Shocking catalogue of driving offences detected by 'disappointed' road police on Ross-shire and Sutherland routes over the weekend
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A CATALOGUE of concerns over vehicles travelling too fast, too slowly and carelessly on stretches of road in Ross-shire and Sutherland over the weekend has triggered a sharp response from police.
Officers from Highland and Islands Road Policing Unit carried out patrols over the weekend on parts of A832, A835 and A836 in the Wester Ross and Sutherland areas.
That was in response to local complaints and as part of Operation CEDAR (Challenge, Educate, Detect and Reduce), which aims to address poor standards of driving and reduce road death across the north of Scotland.
As part of these patrols, drivers in a variety of cars, vans, motorbikes and campervans were spoken to, and several offences were detected.
These included:
- A report for careless driving on the A835
- Four drivers reported for speeding in a 30mph zone
- On the A832, one driver was charged with careless driving and another for an alleged drink-driving offence
- Another has been reported for alleged dangerous driving having been detected travelling at 117mph in a 60mph limit
- On the A836, 30 vehicles were stopped and checked, with 20 warnings given for speeding offences. Two drivers were stopped and spoken to, having been seen to be travelling well below the speed limit and reminded to pull in regularly to help prevent frustration.
- Four motorcyclists were spoken to, and a stolen vehicle was recovered.
Sergeant Douglas Scott of the Highland and Islands Road Policing Unit said: “Rural roads around the Highlands are there to be enjoyed by all, but need to be enjoyed responsibly. As we come into the peak summer months, officers from road policing will be patrolling these and other routes regularly to help ensure this happens.
"Work continues alongside partners to remind both local and foreign drivers, and riders, of their responsibilities on the road through roadside engagement, enforcement and education.
"It’s disappointing to see some have fallen below the standard expected this weekend, and I urge drivers to think about not only themselves but others who are using the road network too”.
