Police Scotland must review its commitment to road policing – watchdog

A review of road policing in Scotland has found a reduction in activity to be a factor in the rise of the number of serious collisions occurring in Scotland.

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

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

The HMICS report recognises road policing officers carrying out enforcement activity to detect crimes including speeding and drink or drug driving can help reduce serious collisions.

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

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

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

“It appears there is a societal acceptance around such tragedies, but it is utterly unacceptable and almost every death is preventable.

“The recent increases in road casualties 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 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 arrangements in Scotland.

The document praised the dedication and professionalism of Scotland’s road policing 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 overall officer numbers as one factor impacting Police Scotland’s ability to achieve its road safety goals.

The latest figures show officer numbers fell from 17,431 in March 2020 to 16,425 in October this year.

Road policing officers currently make up 3.5 per cent of police officer numbers in Scotland.

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

It said the proposal, which is currently on hold, would see road policing officers focus on day and late shifts only, rather than attempt to fulfil a 24-hours-a-day staffing model.

Mr Naylor called for urgent steps to be taken to address a backlog in specialist training for road policing officers and in advanced driver training for other officers.

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

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

It 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, for local policing officers responding to incidents on the road network.

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

“However, the reduction in 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 supporting the objectives of the Road Safety Framework to 2030.”

Police Scotland has been approached for comment.