Police concerned about van and lorry speeds on the A96 west of Brodie

POLICE Scotland have raised concerns about the number of traffic offences being committed by vans and lorries on the A96 west of Brodie.

The police's North Safety Camera Unit – which aims to reduce the number of road casualties through targeted camera operations – has been monitoring the road for a year, and noted 145 offences in 105 hours of enforcement.

While the average hourly detection figures are reasonably low, police said, the unit has concerns about the percentage of offences committed by goods vehicles.

Goods vehicles are vehicles larger than cars – and can often be subject to different speed limits from cars.

The A96 to the west of Brodie has a speed limit of 60mph, but that limit is 50mph for light goods vehicles and 40mph for heavy goods vehicles.

Around 62 per cent of offences relate to vehicles of these types, suggesting that drivers are either unaware of the lower speed limit, or deliberately break it.

Eric Dunion, North Safety Camera Unit Manager, said: “Education is as important to us as enforcement and these figures suggest there may be a lack of education surrounding the restricted speed limits for goods vehicles.

"If you are driving a vehicle larger than a standard car please be aware that it may have a lower speed limit. Ask your employer if you are driving for work or enquire at the hire company when you hire any vehicle."

The Safety Camera Unit has been running a ‘KnowYourLimits’ campaign for a number of years which aims to educate motorists on speed limits. Free speed limit posters and in-vehicle stickers can be ordered from their website www.safetycameras.gov.scot.