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Reckless drivers still putting lives at risk on Highlands and Islands roads says Police Scotland inspector Donnie Mackinnon after spate of offences detected during Operation Cedar


By Alasdair Fraser

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A police officer using a speed gun at The Mound on the shores of Loch Fleet in Sutherland. Picture: Police Scotland.
A police officer using a speed gun at The Mound on the shores of Loch Fleet in Sutherland. Picture: Police Scotland.

Motorists are being warned that too many drivers are risking lives on Highland roads after a major police crackdown snared five men at speeds of over or close to 100 miles per hour.

Extra patrols were mounted across the region as part of Operation Cedar – challenge, educate, detect and reduce – with one 24-year-old caught driving at 126 mph on the A835 near Maryburgh.

On the same stretch of road, a 26-year-old motorcyclist was recorded at a speed of 100 mph.

A 23-year-old man was detected at 102mph on the A890 near Achnasheen and a 47-year-old man in a van was measured at 98 mph on the A835 near Garve.

Another 24-year-old man was also detected driving at 120mph on the A9 at Arpafeelie.

Car driving through a Police speed check area.
Car driving through a Police speed check area.

Police Scotland confirmed all of the drivers would be reported to the Procurator Fiscal for dangerous driving offences.

In the past few weeks a significant number of cars, motorcycles, vans and HGVs have been stopped and a variety of offences detected across the north.

A 31-year-old male will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal for a number of disqualified driving and insurance offences in the Inverness area.

A 37-year-old male was arrested for drink-driving on the A832 at Achanalt and will also be reported for disqualified driving and insurance offences.

A number of other speeding, insurance, MOT, mobile phone and construction and use offences were also detected during checks.

Inspector Donnie Mackinnon of the Highland and Islands road policing unit said: “It is extremely disappointing to see there are a number of drivers who continue to take risks and put themselves and others in danger.

“I would like to reassure our communities that we are committed to improving road safety and influencing driver behaviour in the Highlands and Islands.

“We continue to patrol the roads and will carry out robust enforcement where appropriate.

“Speeding and drink-driving substantially increase the likelihood of being involved in a collision, the consequences of which can be catastrophic, so please think carefully about your actions and don’t put yourself and others at risk."




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