EXPLAINED: Amid concern over NC500 driving behaviour, Highland police inspector reveals 'Fatal Five' causes of road traffic accidents
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
RECKLESS motorists were caught doing almost 100mph on parts of the North Coast 500 during a police crackdown at the weekend.
Road policing officers and safety camera staff took to numerous Highland roads between Friday and Sunday as part of the clampdown aimed at targetting dangerous speeding.
And as we reported earlier this week, a total of 25 offenders were collared. One was caught doing 97mph on a 60mph stretch of the A832 near Achnasheen and others logging almost 90mph on the A9 near Helmsdale.
READ ALSO: Speeding motorists caught by police in NC500 crackdown
Last month, Highland police flagged up the case of an Easter Ross man reported to the fiscal after being found to be five times the legal drink-drive limit, in possession of a knife and without insurance.
The 34-year-old from Alness provided a breath alcohol reading that measured five times the legal limit.
On social media, Highland police deployed the #Fatal5 hasthtag with the cautionary tale, urging others not to risk it.
"Put away your mobile phone, slow down, always wear a seatbelt and never drive after consuming alcohol or drugs. Please think about your actions because one wrong decision can have catastrophic consequences." - Inspector Donald Mackinnon
We asked police for a briefing on the so-called Fatal Five.
These relate to the most common causation factors for road collisions which are:
• Drink/drug driving
• Speeding
• Careless driving
• Lack of seatbelt use
• Mobile phone use
Inspector Donald Mackinnon, of Highlands and Islands Road Policing, Dingwall, said: "There have been 33 road deaths across the Highlands and Islands since April 2022.
"All these incidents have devastated lives and left a lasting impression on our communities.
"We are committed to reducing these casualty figures in collaboration with partners with the aim of positively influencing driver and road user behaviour.
"We continue to patrol the roads and are robustly enforcing legislation relating to these causation factors because the fact remains that some road users continue to take risks and put themselves and others in danger due to poor decision making and driver behaviour.
"Whilst emergency services attend and deal with incidents, everyone has a responsibility to improve road safety. That means reporting drink/drug or careless/dangerous driving to police.
"Put away your mobile phone, slow down, always wear a seatbelt and never drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.
"Please think about your actions because one wrong decision can have catastrophic consequences."
