Police Scotland must review its commitment to road policing – watchdog

A review of road policing in Scotland has found that a reduction in activity is a factor in the rise in serious collisions in Scotland.

A report published by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) shows that the total number of people killed or injured on Scotland’s roads has increased every year over the past four years.

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

The HMICS report recognizes that road police officers carrying out enforcement activities to detect crimes, including speeding and drink or drug driving, can help reduce serious collisions.

But it finds that since Police Scotland was established in April 2013, there has been a 63% drop in the number of road traffic offenses being detected and recorded.

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

Mr Naylor said: “It has now sadly become all too regular to read of another death on Scotland’s roads.

“It seems there is social acceptance around such tragedies, but it is completely unacceptable and almost every death is preventable.

“The recent increase in road casualties is complex and there is no single factor that has caused this trend.

“However, we are concerned that, at a time when the number of victims is increasing, Police Scotland has reduced, rather than increased, its enforcement activity in this high priority area.”

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

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

But HMICS inspectors identified the drop in the overall number of officers as a factor impacting on Police Scotland’s ability to achieve its road safety targets.

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

Road patrol officers currently make up 3.5 percent of the police force in Scotland.

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

The proposal, currently on hold, would see road patrol officers focus only on day and late shifts, rather than attempting to fulfill a 24-hour-a-day staffing model.

Mr Naylor called for urgent steps to tackle the backlog of specialist training for road patrol officers and advanced driving training for other officers.

He also urged Police Scotland to make it easy for the public to report road traffic offenses by sharing video clips directly.

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

It said Police Scotland should work with the Scottish Government on a change in the law that would allow the escort of abnormal loads in Scotland to be carried out by a body other than the police.

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

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

“However, the reduced focus on road policing does raise 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 objectives of the Road Safety Framework to 2030. ”

Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.