News / Efforts to detect driving offences pay off
THERE was a 20 per cent increase in the number of road traffic offences detected in Shetland in 2018/19 compared to the previous year after the police upped resources in response to “ongoing concerns” over driving in Shetland.
A total of 587 offences were detected throughout the year, which was an increase of 100 from 2017/18.
Chief inspector Lindsay Tulloch said in a recent report to Shetland’s community councils that the local police force had increased its focus on road related matters.
“Due to ongoing concerns regarding speeding and inconsiderate driving, dedicated resources have been directed to enforcing road traffic legislation,” he said.
“This has led to an increase of 100 road traffic offences being detected in the last 12 months in comparison to the previous year.”
The number of people found speeding jumped from 97 to 132, while offences related to “neglecting traffic directions” rose from nine to 34.
There were 10 people charged with dangerous driving in 2018/19 – an increase of two from 2017/18 – and there was also an upsurge in the number of drivers found behind the wheel while disqualified.
The number of drink/drug driving offences remained static at 27, while there was a drop in offences detected of driving with no licence or insurance.
Tulloch’s report also detailed incidents attended by police officers in each of Shetland’s community council areas in March this year.
There were 12 reports across Shetland relating to concern for people, with all traced and well.
In the Lerwick area there were a total of 248 incidents in March, including 17 noisy neighbour calls, four assaults, seven vandalisms and 11 reports of theft.
In the Delting area six drivers were charged with speeding in March, while there were also charges for careless driving, dangerous overtaking and drink driving.
Police were also informed of bones discovered under a garden shed in the Sandsting and Aithsting area, but it proved to be a false alarm after they were found to be animal remains.
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