Winter safety highlighted

PERTH POLICE have highlighted several aspects of winter awareness ranging from car maintenance to being seen in the dark.

Sergeant Kerry MacLeod, of Tayside Police’s road policing unit in Perth, has advised motorists to check their car, including tyres, lights, windscreen washers and to make sure drivers can see properly out of their whole vehicle.

“When people are running a bit late they don’t fully clear their windscreens,” he said.

“People need to clear the frost completely so they can see through the whole of the windscreen and have all round vision. Too often people don’t see pedestrians walking so we would encourage them to wear high visibility clothing.”

Mr MacLeod said motorists should also plan their journey before setting out on the road, especially during the winter months.

“People should have a think about route planning,” he commented.

“Traffic Scotland is a fantastic website to use. If people are planning to go to Inverness, then they should be able to check cameras on the likes of Drumochter to see if there is any snow.

“Motorists should also wear appropriate winter clothes and think about food and drink in the event of them getting stuck due to the weather.”

Mr MacLeod is also advising motorists to be aware of agricultural vehicles at this time of year but stressed there is an onus on farmers to remove excess mud from roads.

“We are asking motorists to be aware of the movements of agricultural vehicles and to plan overtaking,” he added.

“There’s a duty and responsibility for farmers to remove mud from roads over a period of time. We expect them to be responsible and not to leave it to us to have to go and remind them of this.”

And he advised residents to take measures to prevent break-ins at home.

“Many people go out or away from their home and it is obvious they are not there,” he commented.

“Criminals look out for signs that people are not at home, so it is important for residents to not make it obvious they are away.” of a community payback order.

He admitted that on October 10 in Main Street, Almondbank, he had an offensive weapon in his possession, namely a golf club.

Summers also admitted that on the same date and location he did shout, swear and commit a breach of the peace.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis also agreed to forfeit the golf club as requested by the Crown.

Philip Payne (24), of Florence Place, Perth, was given a community payback order in which he will have to undertake 150 hours’ unpaid work within six months.

He admitted that he was concerned in the supply of cannabis at Errol Station between December 17 and 19 last year.

Kerry Macleod