More drivers get speeding tickets

backlog in the courts caused by the coronavirus lockdown.

Drivers issued with a notice of intention to prosecute fell from 11,782 to 5,766 and the number given a fixed penalty notice decreased from 8,534 to 2,970.

The Tele asked if any speed cameras in Tayside had been switched off for any length of time this year, but was told that information was not held.

Overall, the total number of recorded speeding offences fell from 4,721 in 2019 to 4,052, although Police Scotland said the figure for 2020 only takes into account the first 10 months of the year.

Across Tayside, the highest number of fixed penalty notices was issued in Perth and Kinross.

This year, 1,481 of the notices issued were there – down from 6,392 the previous year – compared to just 892 in Angus and 742 in Dundee.

A speed camera in Dundee also picked up the highest number of speeding offences by a single camera in Tayside, clocking in 743 drivers in 2020 – down from 1,983 last year. In Angus, the highest number picked up by a single camera was 619 and in Perth and Kinross it was 546. Police Scotland was unable to tell the Tele the exact locations of these cameras.

Tracey Parker, from Police Scotland’s camera safety unit, said the force remained committed to reducing the number of speeding drivers on Tayside’s roads.

She said: “The north safety camera unit is committed to reducing the number of casualties on Scotland’s roads through targeted camera enforcement and improving driver behaviour.

“Our cameras are sited in the areas most in need in terms of road casualty reduction, and deployed primarily where they will have the greatest casualty and collision reduction potential.

“The levels of enforcement in Tayside remain high. The figures provided for 2020 are up to October 31 and from a live database and as such are not finalised. Despite this there has been a decrease in the offences between 2019 and 2020.

“During the initial lockdown for Covid-19, when the advice was to stay at home, keeping the roads clear for essential travel only, with significantly fewer vehicles on the roads some members of staff were deployed to other roles within Police Scotland to support other functions.

“In August 2020 a stretch of roadworks on the A9 between Luncarty and Bankfoot was completed, and to allow construction a set of average speed cameras had been in operation.

“In terms of the number of offences going straight to prosecution – as the offence figures are from a live database the figures for 2020 will not yet have been finalised and, additionally, there are currently delays with cases going to court.

“We would encourage all motorists to stick to speed limits.”