Monsta Mo Mini
19th July 2005, 12:40 AM
Huge rise in police speeding questioned
By Steven Bell
TAYSIDE’S CHIEF constable will be asked to explain why there has been a huge rise in the number of police cars caught speeding on the region’s roads—without action being taken against the drivers.
One local politician said she was “concerned” by the increase—from 58 in 2001 to 201 last year—in police vehicles being caught on cameras or in speed traps.
Figures released under Freedom of Information legislation show that more than 500 cases in the last four years didn’t result in a single prosecution or ticket being issued.
The majority of the cars were from the local force, although officers from forces around the country and south of the border were also caught in Tayside.
“It is concerning that there has been such a rise in the number of speeding police cars,” said Dundee East MSP Shona Robison last night.
“Any car which is speeding is more prone to causing an accident.
“I would be concerned if they are speeding without due cause, and I will be contacting the chief constable to enquire further about the reasons for this.
“It is also about setting a good example, particularly with the position that the police are in. We want people to slow down, we want the roads to be safer.
“They should only be driving at speed on very rare occasions, and judging by the increase and the lack of prosecutions that isn’t the case.”
Reasons for action not being taken included claims of police exemption, instruction from senior officers, exceeding the statutory time limit and processing errors.
It is claimed that police were unable to determine whether the vehicles involved over the past four years were attending emergencies.
A spokesperson for Tayside Police last night confirmed that no officers had been issued with a fixed penalty fine or been the subject of further court action.
“However, 500 police vehicles have been caught speeding, responding to emergency incidents or other operational duties,” said the spokesperson.
The force said it took into account whether the officer involved was lawfully exceeding the limit in carrying out specific duties and that it was “very strict” in its interpretation of the law.
Once a notice of intended prosecution has been generated, the vehicle is located and its driver required to submit a written report.
It is scrutinised before a decision is taken on an exemption, or alternatively a fixed penalty or summons. The force said that offences involving police vehicles “will only be exempted where fully justified and authorised by law.”
Road safety campaigners, however, have suggested that the figures indicate dangerous double standards, while the MSP who uncovered the figures is calling for a change in the system.
South of Scotland representative Christine Grahame said, “I would like to see an independent agency, rather than the police themselves, make the determination on whether such incidents have breached the law.”
By Steven Bell
TAYSIDE’S CHIEF constable will be asked to explain why there has been a huge rise in the number of police cars caught speeding on the region’s roads—without action being taken against the drivers.
One local politician said she was “concerned” by the increase—from 58 in 2001 to 201 last year—in police vehicles being caught on cameras or in speed traps.
Figures released under Freedom of Information legislation show that more than 500 cases in the last four years didn’t result in a single prosecution or ticket being issued.
The majority of the cars were from the local force, although officers from forces around the country and south of the border were also caught in Tayside.
“It is concerning that there has been such a rise in the number of speeding police cars,” said Dundee East MSP Shona Robison last night.
“Any car which is speeding is more prone to causing an accident.
“I would be concerned if they are speeding without due cause, and I will be contacting the chief constable to enquire further about the reasons for this.
“It is also about setting a good example, particularly with the position that the police are in. We want people to slow down, we want the roads to be safer.
“They should only be driving at speed on very rare occasions, and judging by the increase and the lack of prosecutions that isn’t the case.”
Reasons for action not being taken included claims of police exemption, instruction from senior officers, exceeding the statutory time limit and processing errors.
It is claimed that police were unable to determine whether the vehicles involved over the past four years were attending emergencies.
A spokesperson for Tayside Police last night confirmed that no officers had been issued with a fixed penalty fine or been the subject of further court action.
“However, 500 police vehicles have been caught speeding, responding to emergency incidents or other operational duties,” said the spokesperson.
The force said it took into account whether the officer involved was lawfully exceeding the limit in carrying out specific duties and that it was “very strict” in its interpretation of the law.
Once a notice of intended prosecution has been generated, the vehicle is located and its driver required to submit a written report.
It is scrutinised before a decision is taken on an exemption, or alternatively a fixed penalty or summons. The force said that offences involving police vehicles “will only be exempted where fully justified and authorised by law.”
Road safety campaigners, however, have suggested that the figures indicate dangerous double standards, while the MSP who uncovered the figures is calling for a change in the system.
South of Scotland representative Christine Grahame said, “I would like to see an independent agency, rather than the police themselves, make the determination on whether such incidents have breached the law.”