Road deaths increased over summer despite attempts to tackle speed, police say

Police Scotland recorded a rise in road deaths this summer despite attempts to tackle speeding, senior officers have said.

A Scottish Police Authority meeting on Thursday heard that in May, June and July, an increase in deaths on the roads occurred in northern Scotland, and speeding courses aimed at “behavioural change” were called for to tackle fatalities.

The fatal crashes predominantly involved elderly or young drivers, and the meeting heard more than 80% occurred on national speed limit roads.

E-bikes were described as a “menace” after being modified to exceed the intended speed limit, and some had been seized by police.

Board member Alasdair Hay asked senior officers present on Thursday: “At the last policing performance committee, we saw an upturn in road deaths in northern divisions. I wonder if you could give us an insight into why.

“You also set out a specific campaign around speeding. I wondered as well given there’s been an upturn, how you evaluate effectiveness of campaigns?”

Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors said: “We take fatalities on roads extremely seriously. We saw an increase over May, June, July, particularly in northern areas.

“There is nothing in particular highlighting a specific single cause. The spread of ages is either in younger people, or in older people – 83% occur in national speed limit roads, either by slow reactions in older population or people not taking care while doing speed.

“I think one of the key things is speed awareness courses, we can do enforcement but we need an absolute key area around behaviour change.

“I can give reassurances that it is a priority. Road traffic officers are small in number and see these tragedies time and again.”

Board member Tom Halpin asked: “Is there a legislative deficit to these E-bikes which we need to call out?”

Ms Connors said: “I think one of the things I would say if someone is looking to buy an E-bike or scooter – all the bikes must obey the traffic laws and how they work on the road. They can be easily converted so they go over the expected speed.”

She said modified bikes could pose a “menace” or “harassment” if they are not “ridden with consideration”, and some had been seized and the cases passed to prosecutors.

Ms Connors said: “Two main reasons for seizing E-bikes is for contravening traffic laws, the other reason is they are anti-social and being ridden carelessly or inconsiderately.

“Part of the reason we are seeing that increase is that officers are being briefed. We have reported people to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”