Protesters put drivers at risk by tyre tactics

Campaigners taking direct action in order to advance their cause is nothing new. Over the years we have seen protesters bring road and rail networks to a halt, blockade oil terminals, occupy financial institutions, glue themselves to the railings of Downing Street and take to the streets in order to underline their point.

From the perspective of publicity for a cause, there are few more effective tools in the campaigner’s armoury than getting out there and being seen to do something.

But direct action can often blur the

What if the vehicle went on to crash and people were injured?

lines between taking a principled stand and unacceptable behaviour.

That line was crossed in Broughty Ferry when campaigners sought out larger 4x4 vehicles and tampered with their tyres.

The purpose of letting air out of the tyres of off-roaders was supposedly to highlight the damage, it is claimed, those types of vehicles do to the environment.

While that core subject matter is a legitimate point for public debate, the tactics used are very far from legitimate. Potentially they are downright dangerous.

What, for example, if the flyer left to warn a driver of their now flat tyres had blown off from the windscreen before they had the opportunity to read it?

What if that vehicle then went on to crash and people were injured or worse? That cannot be defended.

And what if that off-road vehicle was the only lifeline for its owner to ensure they could get to a vital medical appointment? Again, there is no possible justification.

This paper will always stand up for freedom of speech and the legitimate right to protest.

In fact, we actively use the platform we have to campaign for change which is in the public interest.

But putting unsuspecting individuals at risk will never be a legitimate means to that end, no matter what type of campaigning bow you try to wrap it up in.