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Police Scotland must review its commitment to road policing – watchdog

Sakege November 5, 2024

A review of highway policing in Scotland has found that reduced activity is a factor in the increase in the number of serious collisions occurring in Scotland.

A report published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS) notes that the total number of people killed or injured on Scotland’s roads has increased each year for the past four years.

Last year, 155 people were killed and 1,930 seriously injured on Scotland’s roads and so far this year deaths are already 26% higher than at the same time last year.

The HMICS report recognizes that traffic police officers carrying out law enforcement activities to detect crimes such as speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can help reduce serious collisions.

But it concludes that, since the creation of Police Scotland in April 2013, there has been a 63% drop in the number of traffic offenses detected and recorded.

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Police in Scotland, Craig Naylor, has called on Police Scotland to review its commitment to road policing.

Naylor said: “Sadly it has now become all too common to read about another death on Scotland’s roads.

“There seems to be social acceptance around this type of tragedy, but it is absolutely unacceptable and almost all deaths can be prevented.

“The recent increases in traffic accident victims are complex and there is no single factor that has caused this trend.

“However, we are concerned that, at a time when casualties are increasing, Police Scotland has decreased, rather than increased, its policing activity in this high priority area.”

The HMICS report, A Thematic Inspection of Road Policing in Scotland, aimed to assess the status, effectiveness and efficiency of road policing arrangements in Scotland.

The paper praised the dedication and professionalism of Scotland’s highway policing officers and said Police Scotland had a good leadership and governance structure when it came to highway policing.

But HMICS inspectors identified the drop in overall officer numbers as a factor affecting Police Scotland’s ability to achieve its road safety targets.

The latest figures show that the number of officers fell from 17,431 in March 2020 to 16,425 in October this year.

Highway police officers currently make up 3.5 per cent of the number of police officers in Scotland.

Inspectors said they were aware of a recent proposal by senior management at Police Scotland’s Highway Policing Division to change the shift pattern of its officers.

He said the proposal, which is currently on hold, would have highway patrol officers focus solely on day and night shifts, rather than trying to meet a 24-hour-a-day staffing model.

Naylor called for urgent action to address the backlog in specialist training for highway police officers and advanced driver training for other officers.

It also urged Police Scotland to make it easier for the public to report traffic offenses by directly sharing video clips.

The report made 13 recommendations for improvement for Police Scotland, including that it should collaborate with its criminal justice partners to explore ways for officers to spend less time attending court, such as virtual appearances.

He said Police Scotland should work with the Scottish Government on a legislative change that would allow the escorting of abnormal loads in Scotland to be carried out by an agency other than the police.

It also urged Police Scotland to review its policy position and the training and equipment provided to local police officers responding to incidents on the road network.

Naylor added: “It is an exceptionally challenging time for public services across the UK. Police Scotland is not exempt from this.

“However, the reduced focus on road policing raises questions about Police Scotland’s contribution, both in reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on Scotland’s roads and in supporting the goals of the Road Safety Framework. until 2030”.

Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.