Police offer advice regarding considerate driving during the summer months

7th July 2013

Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division are offering advice regarding considerate driving to all road users during the summer months in an attempt to reduce frustration and collisions on the area's roads.

Police are urging all road users to be mindful of other drivers and riders throughout the summer months when the area sees an increase of traffic especially holiday makers, who are unfamiliar with the region.

In addition, it is the time of year when there is increased farming activity so machinery and vehicles, which are driven at reduced speed, can be seen frequently on the roads.

Drivers of slower moving vehicles, like agricultural vehicles, caravans and lorries, are encouraged to be aware of other road users and pull over regularly to allow vehicles to pass. Those drivers of slow moving vehicles who do not allow the build up of following vehicles to pass safely at appropriate times are deemed to be driving in an inconsiderate manner.

This type of inconsiderate driving can cause frustration on the part of other road users at any time of the year, but more likely during the busy tourist season, with the high volumes of traffic experienced in the Highlands and Islands.

Police will be patrolling the roads network and any cases of inconsiderate driving will be dealt with appropriately and this can be by way of a warning or being reported to the Procurator Fiscal for careless or inconsiderate driving (see section 3 of Road Traffic Act 1988).

Highland and Islands Divisional Road Policing Unit Inspector Neil Lumsden said: "Small measures such as pulling over if you are driving a slow moving vehicle to prevent any build up of traffic behind you will reduce frustration amongst other road users.

"We know from experience that poor decision making, borne out of frustration, as well as speed are contributory factors in crashes.

"During July and August Police Officers within the Highlands and Islands will be actively targeting both those who are deemed to be driving inconsiderately or at excessive speed.

"I would ask that all road users think about the speed they are travelling at and enjoy the regions roads appropriately and safely during the summer months.”