Inspector Campbell Moffat, pictured above left, is taking the wheel at the end of the month, replacing Inspector Neil Hewitson who is retiring.
Insp Moffat moves from being area inspector at Newton Stewart to the top job in Dumfries.
But he is no stranger to roads policing and has spent 16 of his 25 years in the service in roads policing, including a spell as a driving instructor at the Scottish Police College.
He said: “I am delighted to be taking up this post and look forward to carrying on the excellent work that Neil has been doing with the unit help keep the roads of Dumfries and Galloway safer, and with partners in the region’s Road Safety Partnership.”
He is particularly keen to drive home the message of drink and drug driving and added: “It appals me that we caught and reported another four drivers over the recent bank holiday weekend in the region for drink driving despite all the warnings about the new limits. When are drivers going to learn?”
Meanwhile, Insp Hewitson has been reflecting on his seven years in post and said: “I have spent the majority of my police service in roads policing, as constable, sergeant and latterly as inspector in charge of the unit, and have seen many changes in the motoring world through my 30 years.
“The road networks are much busier today than they were when I joined the service in 2006. Vehicles and the roads themselves are much safer now. In 1986, when I joined as a young constable in the force, 42 people lost their lives on the roads in Dumfries and Galloway, as opposed to 12 people last year.”
He added: “Some things don’t change however, and speed, careless and drink driving are still the main causes of collisions.”
