Operation to engage with drivers in the Lochaber area

Officers in Fort William have been engaging drivers in the Lochaber area in a bid to educate those traveling in the area and reduce the number of accidents.

Between 30 July and 4 August, local officers, with assistance from the Highlands and Islands Road Policing Unit carried out patrols as part of Operation CEDAR (Challenge, Educate, Detect and Reduce). The aim was to engage with drivers including those visiting the area over the tourist season who may not be familiar with the roads.

A number of high visibility patrols and roadside checks were carried out and advice was offered to drivers.

Officers also detected a number of offences during the operation including careless driving, disobeying road sings and markings, speeding and using a mobile phone when driving. Ten Fixed penalties were issued and one male was reported to the Procurator Fiscal for an incident of careless driving.

Constable Cameron said “The Lochaber area attracts large numbers of tourists each year with numbers peaking between May and September. This initiative allowed us to engage with foreign drivers who were using our local road networks.

“A lack of experience and lapses in concentration are often contributory factors to collisions occurring on our roads. Many of these drivers found the engagement with police useful in terms of the advice that was provided to them and will assist with promoting safe driving during their time in Scotland.

“Engagement will continue with foreign drivers for the remainder of the tourist season with a view to keeping all road users safe on our roads.”