Highlighting ‘devastating’ consequences of speeding
A powerful new campaign by the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland to tackle the serious issue of speeding has launched with a clear message for all drivers – there’s no excuse for speeding.
The initiative launched last week, just days after three men were charged having allegedly been caught driving at speeds in excess of 100 miles an hour on the A83 on the same afternoon.
On Saturday February 27, around 3.45pm, Dunoon-based road policing officers stopped a BMW X5 travelling at speeds of up to 122mph on the A83 through Glen Kinglas, near Cairndow. The 29-yearold driver was charged in connection with road traffic offences. Shortly after 5pm the same day, officers stopped a BMW 6 series and a Mini Cooper, both of which were travelling at speeds of up to 123mph on the same stretch of road. Both male drivers, aged 23 and 52, were charged in connection with road traffic offences.
Inspector Archie McGuire of Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Road Policing Unit said: ‘Driving at such excessive speeds shows an utter disregard for the safety of everyone else on the road. Such reckless behaviour is a contributing factor in many serious and fatal road crashes. Most drivers using our roads do so with respect for the speed limits, driving conditions and other road users, but I would appeal to the minority to please slow down and reduce the chances of collisions and the danger to others.
‘Road policing officers will continue to respond to concerns from the public about speeding in their area. We will keep working to educate drivers and take action where appropriate to improve safety and reduce the number of injuries on our roads.’
There were 35 speed-related collisions in Argyll and Bute in 2019, with contributory factors including exceeding the speed limit, travelling too fast for the conditions and careless/ reckless driving.
Latest figures show speed is a contributory factor in 15 per cent of all fatal and serious collisions in Scotland - a total of 848 collisions, 42 fatalities and 244 serious injuries.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams, Police Scotland, said: ‘If you are caught speeding or you are involved in a collision, you could lose your licence, face a substantial fine and receive a criminal record which could result in you losing your job, or even a prison sentence, so the risks are not worth it.’