Rise in speeders caught in region
There has been a 24 per cent increase in the number of motorists caught speeding in Perth and Kinross.
The speeding offences rate in Perth and Kinross per 10,000 people is nearly four times above the Scottish average.
A total of 1779 speeding offences were detected between April 1 and December 31, 2021 compared to 1436 for the same period the previous year.
The figures were included in the latest Perth and Kinross policing report which was presented to Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and communities committee on Wednesday, March 23.
Conservative councillor Colin Stewart raised concerns about the Perth and Kinross rates being “substantially” higher than the average for the whole of Scotland.
The Strathmore representative said: “Not only have recorded speeding offences increased but in actual fact the speeding offences rate per 10,000 of population is higher in Perth and Kinross than the [rest of the Tayside] division but also substantially higher than the average for the whole of Scotland. That is definitely a concern.”
The rate of offences for Perth and Kinross was 118 per 10,000 population compared to 32 per 10,000 population for Scotland.
Chief Supt Phil Davison said the summer period over 2021 saw Scotland experience “significantly more visitors to its rural communities”.
He said: “Perth and Kinross is clearly attractive as a tourist destination but is also a route of access into the upper Highlands.
“It did experience an increase in road traffic usage in the area so corresponding to that is clearly a need from all agencies and services to make sure we have safety provisions and measures in place - moving along the lines of enforcement in education and engineering.”
CS Davison said they responded and listened to local communities if they had concerns about speeding and accidents.
He said: “I would encourage our communities to continue to report to their local police where they have got those concerns and perceptions about speed.
“It’s something we treat seriously.”
Councillors were told road safety vans tend to predominantly sit where there have been fatalities and more serious road accidents.
Conservative councillor Bob Brawn said speeding was one of the biggest complaints he gets.
He asked about portable cameras “literally just bolted to a post” in England “left there for a period of time then moved on to the next place”.
The Blairgowrie and Glens councillor asked if they could be introduced in Perth and Kinross and across Scotland.
CS Davison said: “I’m aware of the benefits.
“New technologies are considered across the piece.”
He pledged to pass on Cllr Brawn’s enquiry to road policing colleagues.
Conservative Strathtay councillor Anne Jarvis said she was “constantly” getting complaints about speeding whether it be in 20mph routes or rural roads. She asked if there was a way of “drawing a line” on where there was or was not a problem.
CS Davison said: “Every time we get that data provided to us we want to assess that over a period of time using the various measures and capabilities we have got to do so.”
In his report CS Davison said the “significant” increase in speeding offences was “attributable partly to more focused operational activity on not only the priority routes but also focused patrols on routes which are deemed to have speeding issues and have been identified through a number of community-based engagements”.
Notable speeds recorded in Perth and Kinross during this period were 107 mph in a 70mph limit, 93 mph in a 60 mph limit and 56mph in a 30 mph limit.