Roads Policing

The road policing unit is divided between Dumfries and Galloway Division, with officers being based at Dumfries, Lockerbie and Stranraer.

It is currently made up of an Inspector, four sergeants and 34 constables, four of whom are advanced police driving instructors and ten are collision investigators.

Roads policing officers have to undergo extensive training, including a two week advanced driving course prior to joining the department. This is followed by a five week advanced driving course at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan and a three week traffic patrol officers course, which includes vehicle examinations and tachograph legislation.

The advanced driving course at the Scottish Police College is an intense and demanding course and each officer must reach a very high standard of driving to obtain a pass.

The main aims of the road policing unit are:

• To reduce road casualties by educating road users
• Enforce legislation
• Disrupt criminal activity on the roads
• Work with partner agencies to encourage road safety

Whilst every police officer has a part to play in increasing safety on the roads, the roads policing unit has a particular responsibility to increasing your safety when out travelling.

Roads policing officers carry out a wide range of high visibility patrols to detect and deter recognised offences which are considered to be major contributory factors in crashes, namely:

• Speeding
• Irresponsible driver behaviour
• Drink or drug driving
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Failure to wear a seatbelt

Different operations are also compiled on a regular basis to focus on issues that are relevant to a particular time of year or recent events that have occurred. They are also planned to address local community concerns and National Roads Safety campaigns.

Come Talk To Us

Our roads policing unit is the traffic officers you see on the roads. If you want to speak to them or see some of their equipment you should get in touch. All sorts of drivers travel in Dumfries and Galloway and the unit is keen to meet them for a friendly, informal talk.

Roads policing officers want to inform you of their day to day duties. They are keen to explain what they do, why they do it and how they go about it. They can take any questions you might have on road policing, driver behaviour, road safety or current motoring laws. They are more than happy to meet you or any motoring group you might be involved in for a face to face chat.

If you want to visit one of stations, speak to the officers or see the equipment we use, contact the force communications centre and ask to speak to the roads policing unit. A visit can be arranged for you to meet the staff.

Why have a Roads Policing Unit?

You will have seen police officers out and about patrolling the regions roads. You may think that they are just there to catch speeding motorists however their job is much more complex than that.

The officers are out on the roads to save your life. Drivers who see police on the road naturally slow down and improve their driver behaviour, and increased driver behaviour means you are less likely to be involved in a collision. It is their job to make efforts to ensure the roads within the region are a safer place to travel.

How do they improve driver safety? It is done through education and enforcement. Officers do not just detect and report traffic offences, they visit schools, have driver education roadshows and will happily pass on motoring or driving advice to any motorist who wants it. The unit also targets traveling criminals who may be passing through our region.

You need to know that minor traffic offences like not wearing your seatbelt or using a mobile phone greatly increases the chances of being in a serious or fatal road collision. Often the perceived minor offences result in the most serious outcome.

The region has been victim to too many fatal and serious road traffic collisions, many of which involve young or inexperienced drivers. The roads policing unit is determined to make drivers think twice about their behaviour. Every motorist continually learns and if you want any advice from our specially trained staff come talk to us.

It is everyone’s job to keep the road safe, if you drive in the appropriate manner then you will drive safely and the people around you will be safe. If you drive inappropriately then you will likely be involved in a collision at some point, risking your own life and the lives of others.

Drive safely, service your vehicle properly and if you see someone driving dangerously report them to us.