Road traffic offences at ‘astronomical’ levels 

Police carrying out speed and vehicle checks. 

Road traffic offences have reached “astronomical” levels in Shetland, an officer has claimed.

Sergeant Alan Patrick said he had never worked in a place were so many traffic related crimes took place.

He said the problem was particularly bad for drink driving and driving without valid insurance.

Sgt Patrick made the comments last night (Tuesday) during a report to Lerwick Community Council on the latest crime figures for the town.

Community councillor Jonathan Duncan noted there have been seven offences related to driving without insurance, three without a licence and 11 without an MoT.

“Are they fairly normal figures?” he asked.

Sgt Patrick agreed the figures seemed “astronomical”.

“It’s almost like some people don’t think it is important to have a valid licence,” he said.

“Which is absolutely barmy,”

Sgt Patrick said many people arrested for road traffic offences were not even aware they had broken the law.

“It’s not a defence to say ‘I didn’t know”,” he said.

“But some people don’t have an earthly clue that they are meant to stop after a road traffic collision to report it.

“Education is a great thing.”