Hotspots targeted in road safety campaign

TACKLING speeding and antisocial driving took centre stage in Buckie when a high visibility police campaign came to town.

Buckie officer PC Shiree Miller teamed up with Aberdeenshire-based motorcycle officer colleagues PCs Graeme Low and Aaron White last Monday as part of Operation Cedar (Challenge, Educate, Detect and Reduce).

The day was part of a division-wide initiative designed to reduce the number of casualties on the road.

It was very much a community-driven day, as Buckie-based Sergeant Theresa Clark explained.

She said: "The officers targeted their efforts in hotspots which have been repeatedly identified by local community councils.

"These included High Street in Buckie, especially near the Steinbeck Road area, the main road through Portgordon, including Gordon Street, Strathlene Road heading into Findochty and Bridge Street in Portknockie.

"Overall it was a very positive day of action and engagement in the local community using a hi-vis presence to help educate motorists."

A number of motorists found themselves on the wrong side of the law during the day of action.

Among the incidents the officers dealt with was a driver alleged to have been travelling at 81mph in a 60mph limit, while another was stopped for using a mobile phone at the wheel. A motorists driving along with an unrestrained child in the car also drew the attention of the police.

Operation Cedar has been running across the north east of Scotland for around three years.

It is as a proactive multi-agency enforcement operation which sits alongside education activity aimed at improving the behaviour of drivers of all ages.

Partner agencies will also work to gain a greater understanding of the factors which could improve the safety of everyone on the roads.