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Tayside Police have a specific objective to reduce road casualties and increase safety on our roads. Whilst
every officer has a part to play in this, the Road Policing Unit has a particular responsibilty.
The Road Policing Unit is headed by Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman who has overall responsibility and co-ordinates road policing activities across the force area. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES We aim to
TRAFFIC PATROL Each division has a Road Policing Unit operating in their area. The officers in these units undertake patrol duties providing 24 hour cover on the entire roads network. You can read more about these officers in the divisional sections. BIKESAFE SCOTLAND Motorcycling has never been so popular and there is growth in all Powered Two Wheel user groups. Whether motorcycle, scooter or moped, riders are finding a new freedom and flexibility, manoeuvrability in traffic and often a new bond of riding bikes. One of the drawbacks of riding on two wheels is our vulnerability. Any crash involving a bike will undoubtedly be far more severe than in a car. Each year too many riders and passengers are killed or seriously injured. This combined with a minority who engage in bad riding gives the impression that motorcycles are anti-social and dangerous. In a combined effort to increase rider safety and awareness of dangers, all Scottish Police Forces in conjunction with the Scottish Road Safety Campaign, the Motorcycle Action Group, the British Motorcyclists Federation and Black Horse Motorcycle Finance are promoting a scheme called Bikesafe Scotland. The multi-agency approach, which will involve the motorcycle industry and dealers, is to raise public awareness of motorcycling issues, including the vulnerability of riders. One of the most important parts of the scheme is the free Bikesafe Scotland Assessed Ride with an advanced Police motorcyclist. The scheme will involve an evening presentation on riding skills and personal safety, and will endeavour to make you think more carefully about your own style of riding. An assessed ride is available at a convenient time where you will be followed by a police rider. At the end of the assessment you will be given feedback on your general riding and pointers on subjects such as positioning and cornering. You too can take part in the scheme. Simply complete an application form and send it to the Force in whose area you wish to take part. Application forms are available from all Police stations. It's Time to React to Bikesafe Scotland - It will make you think about your riding and may even help you to avoid an accident. REMEMBER, IT'S FREE Local contact - P.C. Rose, RPU Forfar - Telephone 01307 302200 Email bikesafe@tayside.pnn.police.uk ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION An accident is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as "an unplanned event causing damage or injury". All accidents have a cause and more often than not it is down to some degree of driver error. When a serious or fatal accident occurs, then Road Policing Officers and a trained accident investigator are summoned to the locus. The accident investigator will make enquiries and fully examine the locus to assist with determining the cause and sequence of events leading to an accident. This can prove extremely valuable in situations where there are a lack of witnesses. We have four crash investigators who are called upon to attend the scenes of serious road accidents. Their job is to analyse all aspects of a road crash and form a reconstruction using the most modern of techniques including 3D animation. PATROL OFFICERS Patrol officers within the unit carry out a wide range of high visibility duties such as enforcement of legislation, dealing with road accidents, escorting abnormal loads, ambulance escorts, vehicle examinations. They also provide assistance and advice to motorists all with the intention of improving road safety. Officers are also used in built up areas in response to persistent complaints of speeding, seatbelt offences, noise nuisance and other offences. These matters are dealt with effectively by using officers in plain clothes and unmarked vehicles. Officers also provide support and assistance to beat officers and deal with non-traffic related incidents when required. PATROL OFFICER TRAINING Patrol officers have to undergo extensive training and attend the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan on various traffic courses. The two main initial courses are the Advanced Driving course and the Traffic Patrol Officers' Course. The Advanced Driving Course is an intense and demanding four-week course and each officer's driving must reach a very high standard to obtain a pass. The Traffic patrol officers' course is also demanding, where officers learn legislation which is essential to equip them with the knowledge required to enable them to patrol the roads and deal with any traffic related matters. |
