Traffic cops who keep city roads safe get set for winter campaign
THEY are the guardians of the motorway yet when most drivers think of the traffic cops, they fear a telling off.
The officers working in the Road Police Unit in Glasgow, however, use their specialist driving skills and knowledge of the roads to keep countless motorists safe every year – and that often means giving advice to those who need it the most, even if they don’t want it.
“I have been in traffic for 23 years and it is the best job in the police,” declares Chief Inspector Darren Faulds.
The top cop, whose team operate from Govan Police Office, is preparing for a busy few months as his officers hit the roads with their festive safety message - but despite the demand on his squad, his enthusiasm for the job does not seem to falter.
He said: “We will have high visibility patrols throughout the roads network of Glasgow. We have already started out a targeted plan carrying out road checks on early, late and night shifts.
“On a 24-hour basis, you will see us on the road and you will probably expect to be stopped and engaged with the police.”
The traffic cops working over the next few weeks aim to offer safety advice to motorists as the road conditions worsen with winter weather including rain, wind and snow.
They will also be out and about in the city, 24 hours a day in a bid to crack down on those minority motorists who continue to flout the law by driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Chief Inspector Faulds said: “The weather always impacts and that actually makes normal driving harder.
“When alcohol or drugs get involved, drivers are having to concentrate even harder because the of the weather conditions.
“It can make their driving even worse and put them even more at risk by either causing an accident or being involved in an incident.”
The Evening Times joined police constables Michelle Murphy and Scott McDougall, who have been with the force 16 and 10 years