With the arrival of spring, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in Scotland are being encouraged to take extra care on the roads.
A week-long campaign, organised by Police Scotland and launched yesterday (4-10 March), is looking to highlight that vulnerable road users account for 29% of road deaths in Scotland.
During the campaign, officers will be out engaging with the public to positively influence attitudes and road user behaviour.
Chief inspector Mark Patterson, Police Scotland, said: “As we are now officially in spring, and the weather hopefully takes a turn for the better, we can expect to see an increase in the number of people venturing out on foot, horseback and pedal cycles.”
The Police Scotland initiative is running alongside the British Horse Society’s ‘Dead or Dead Slow’ campaign, which educates drivers on how to pass horses safely.
Helene Mauchlen, Scottish manager of the British Horse Society, said: “There are 80,000 horses in Scotland and 250,000 people regularly ride, so horse riders represent a significant group of vulnerable road users.”
Chief inspector Patterson added: “All road users, particularly those in the vulnerable category, are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety and to share our road space respectfully and responsibly too.
“The increased use of new technologies, mainly smartphones, has increased the risks of road traffic distraction, for both drivers and pedestrians.”
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