DRIVERS are getting more reckless behind the wheel in the Stewartry, according to a new police report.
The number of people getting behind the wheel after drinking/taking drugs has skyrocketed by 91.8 percent when compared to the five-year average.
And the number of offences recorded have also shot up for dangerous driving and careless driving.
A police performance report for the Stewartry, for between April 1 and September 30 last year, showed that there were a total of 731 crimes for all three categories – compared to 580 during the same period the previous year.
These offences, along with the wide array of other crimes, will be discussed at Stewartry area committee next Wednesday.
Police chief inspector Emma Dodds, area commander for Galloway, will attend the meeting to answer questions from councillors.
The report states: “Driving under the influence offences have increased by 58 on the previous year to date and by 101 on the five year average.”
There were 140 dangerous driving offences between April 1 and September 30 last year, which is a 26.1 percent increase on the previous year’s figure of 111.
Meanwhile, police stopped 380 vehicles due to careless driving, which was a 20.6 percent rise on the previous year’s total of 316.
On a more positive note, the number of motorists caught breaking the speed limit has dropped significantly.
There were 1046 speeding offences recorded between April 1 and September 30 last year – compared to 1374 during the same period the previous year.
The police document states: “Speeding offences have decreased by 328 on the previous year to date and by 569 on the five year average.
“Mobile phone offences have decreased by 24 on the previous year to date and are 45 higher than the five year average.”
It was also confirmed that two people were killed in road traffic accidents, which was the same figure as the year before.
A further 49 adults and one child were seriously injured – compared to 32 and three respectively the previous year.
