Police Scotland Road Safety Initiative Results

Police in Edinburgh have carried out a successful second week of activity as part of a road safety initiative to promote safer driving and cycling in the city centre.

The initiative launched last Monday, and over the past week officers spoke to 186 motorists and 129 cyclists.

15 conditional offers of a fixed penalty fine were issued – the majority for using a mobile phone while driving, for cyclists failing to stop at a red light or for cycling on pavements and taxi drivers waiting by Haymarket Station outwith the designated taxi ranks. One motorist was issued with an ASBO warning for careless driving.

PC Stephen Kirk, from Police Scotland, said: “Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe and over the past two weeks hundreds of road users have been educated on how to make Edinburgh’s roads safer.

“Taxi drivers parking by Haymarket Train Station is a particular concern as it’s a dangerous area for cyclists, due to how busy the junction is and the tram tracks in place.

“We noticed that cyclists have a lack of knowledge as to what is illegal, for example cycling on pavements and failing to obey red traffic lights. We also found that drivers would use their Sat Navs as an excuse for failing to obey a ‘no entry’ sign. A number of drivers were warned not to stop in a cycle stop box, which is an offence that carries 3 points and a £100 fine.”

“Although this initiative only ran for two weeks, our focus on road safety will continue with a view to casualty reduction and making the roads a safer place for all.”