Crackdown on antisocial driving in Moray

Date Added - 21/01/09

Motorists in Moray whose standard of driving falls below acceptable standards have been warned that they risk having their vehicles seized under antisocial behaviour legislation.

Last year three drivers had their cars impounded by the police and 27 others received written warnings about their driving.

And over the coming months Grampian Police, with the support of Moray Council, will be mounting an operation to identify motorists whose driving is considered to be antisocial.

Antisocial driving can range from causing excessive noise by over-revving an engine or causing the wheels to spin to performing handbrake turns and driving on a public footpath.

The Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 created powers which allow the police to tackle driving which is viewed as antisocial.

Grampian Police and Moray Council have made full use of these powers in communities across Moray.

With the use of intelligence-gathering – including concerns raised within local communities – the police have already carried out four special operations which resulted in three vehicles being seized.

A charge of £150 or more is made for the return of a vehicle to its owner.

Inspector Scott Mann, head of roads policing in Moray, said Grampian Police were committed to tackling all forms of antisocial behaviour – including antisocial driving, which was an issue right across the Moray area.

"As well as causing annoyance to members of the public, I have a concern that drivers are also placing lives at risk by the manner of their driving," said Insp Mann.

"As a roads policing unit, we deal with individuals driving in an antisocial manner on a regular basis and we are afforded powers through antisocial behaviour legislation that allow us to seize vehicles owned by offending drivers.

"This is in addition to the driver being reported to the procurator fiscal for the offences themselves.

"In Moray, we are fortunate to have the support of partner agencies to assist us in dealing with antisocial driving and we are currently receiving tremendous assistance from Moray Council through the Moray Road Safety Group."

Insp Mann said it was intended to run a series of initiatives throughout Moray in the coming months that would involve unmarked patrols.

"I urge drivers to consider the feelings and safety of others. The bottom line is that if you drive in an antisocial manner in Moray there is a high probability that you will be caught and that your vehicle will be seized.

"We do rely on intelligence from members of the public and I appeal to anyone affected by antisocial driving to get in touch with Grampian Police or Moray Council."

Andy Jamieson, Moray Council’s antisocial behaviour co-ordinator, said he was delighted at the way Grampian Police were implementing the legislation on antisocial driving.

He said: "Communities can be assured that Moray Council and Grampian Police will work together to deal robustly with all incidents of antisocial driving within Moray and Moray Council will assist Grampian Police by providing funding for additional patrols."

Anyone wishing to report any type of antisocial behaviour, including antisocial driving, should call Grampian Police on 0845 600 5700 or the antisocial behaviour helpline on 0800 5877197.