Thematic inspection of road policing in Scotland

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5th November 2024

The aim of this inspection, undertaken by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), was to assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of road policing arrangements in Scotland. The resultant inspection report is based on a comprehensive review, which involved engaging with specialist road policing officers and with local policing officers across Scotland. We also met with partners and other key stakeholders. We were particularly grateful to have the assistance of charitable organisations who support vulnerable road users and people who have been affected by serious road collisions. We visited other UK police services and best practice from other areas have been highlighted. This report outlines key findings which highlight very positive partnership working arrangements found during our inspection. We were particularly impressed by the professionalism and commitment of the road policing officers we engaged with. The recommendations made, are intended to strengthen the partnership approach to road safety and road crime - in order to make Scotland’s roads safer.

Number	Recommendation
1	Police Scotland should review its commitment to and investment in its road policing function, to ensure it is effectively supporting Scotland’s Road Safety Framework and that road crime is being actively addressed.
2	Police Scotland should take urgent steps to address the backlog in specialist driver training.
3	Police Scotland should review its policy position, and the training and equipment provided, for local policing officers responding to incidents on the fast road networks.
4	Police Scotland should engage with its criminal justice partners to explore options (including virtual appearances) to reduce the time requirement for officers attending court.
5	Police Scotland should engage with Scottish Government to progress a legislative change that will allow the escorting of abnormal loads in Scotland to be carried out by another agency.
6	Police Scotland should progress the implementation of a road policing performance framework that provides an indication of progress towards achieving the targets set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030.
7	Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority should create and implement a joint action plan to identify and address the risk posed by drug driving.
8	Police Scotland should implement a process to ensure vehicles are equipped in a consistent manner. The views of officers who will be using the vehicles should be taken into account when considering the type of equipment to be fitted, and how and where it is fitted.
9	Police Scotland should identify and adopt best practice in the deployment and use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).
10	Police Scotland should progress the facility for members of the public to report road traffic offences by directly uploading journey-cam footage.
11	Police Scotland should review its intelligence and analytical commitment in relation to road safety and road crime, to improve focus on these areas.
12	Police Scotland should engage with UK Road Offender Education and other key stakeholders to progress the full implementation of educational training courses for people who commit driving offences that may be appropriately addressed through learning.
13	Police Scotland should review its policy on the deployment of family liaison officers, to ensure a consistent level of service to people who have been bereaved following a fatal collision.

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