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Road crimes soar on popular NC500 route as 168 speeding offences recorded in year

Officers recorded 168 speeding offences from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023 - which is 47 more offences than the previous year. 

Police have been cracking down on dangerous driving in the Highlands.
Police have been cracking down on dangerous driving in the Highlands.

Driving offences on a key section of the NC500 have soared by almost 60% in a year.

Sutherland makes up a large part of the scenic tourist route with 11 official stopping points, including Dornoch, Tongue, Durness and Kylesku.

New police figures have revealed there were 129 more offences recorded in the area over the past year.

Officers recorded 168 speeding offences from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023 – which is 47 more offences than the previous year.

In May, a warning was issued to residents in the area about dangerous driving by a group of about 30 drivers taking part in an organised NC500 road trip.

The same month, a 48-year-old man was caught driving at 117mph in a 60mph zone during a weekend crackdown.

Police stopping drivers along the NC500. Image: Police Scotland.

Police say another man, 56, was detected driving at 103mph at the same time.

Figures, first reported in The Herald, show a decline in speeding offences when the three-year average of 86 is compared with the five-year average of 92.

Chief Inspector Stuart Fitzpatrick tells councillors in a report that road policing remains a focus for the force.

He said: “We maintain our presence on our Highland roads, enforcing road traffic legislation, improving road safety and investigating road traffic collisions.”

“I know this has been a particular area of concern, especially with the notable increase in visitors to the Highlands.

“My team continue to engage with the visitor management plan, working with various partners to ensure the Highlands continues to be a safe and enjoyable place to visit.”

 

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