Low number of speeding fines for police

Low number of speeding fines for police

Only two Lothian and Borders police officers from the 59 who broke the speed limit last year have received a speeding fine. The new figures show that nationally, just one in 15 Scottish police officers who were caught breaking the speed limit while on duty were punished.

Police officers can be exempted from penalties and prosecution if they were speeding on a 999 call or other operational duties. Lothian and Borders Police said today that any officer who commits a speeding offence will be prosecuted. But road safety campaigners Brake said the scale of the national figures suggested that not all of those let off were on urgent police business.

Of the 2400 occasions where police vehicles were captured above the speed limit, only 163 drivers received a fine or points on their licence. The figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, revealed that 1332 officers at Scotland's largest police force, Strathclyde, were caught speeding in 2006 - with no further action taken in all but four cases.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "We are a emergency service and have to respond to many serious incidents. Our officers are expected to get there quickly to help prevent further injuries or save people's lives." He added: "Safety is paramount and should any officer commit an offence, then they will be prosecuted."

Outcry as only two officers out of 59 get speeding fine (Edinburgh Evening News, 23 July 2007)