Aggressive Driving

Justice and Law Officers – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:00 pm on 8 September 2004.

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Photo of Richard Baker Richard Baker Labour 2:00, 8 September 2004

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to prevent crimes that are associated with aggressive driving. (S2O-3033)

Photo of Cathy Jamieson Cathy Jamieson Labour

The Executive is determined to improve safety in our communities. We have introduced legislation to give the police powers to stop and seize vehicles that are being used in a manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public. We have also put in place a range of measures to combat dangerous and inconsiderate driving, including giving the police national targets to reduce road accidents, supporting safety camera partnerships and introducing a national driver-improvement scheme.

Photo of Richard Baker Richard Baker Labour

The minister will be aware of the problems in Aberdeen that are caused by cars being raced in some of the city's streets, particularly by young men in vehicles that are altered for the purpose of racing them. In the past, the police have had difficulty securing convictions for such offences. Will she assure me that the Executive is considering further measures to deter that reckless type of car crime, which endangers lives?

Photo of Cathy Jamieson Cathy Jamieson Labour

I absolutely condemn anyone who knowingly drives recklessly or dangerously. Of course, young people can enjoy driving and can use their driving licence to get out and about or to access a range of employment and training initiatives. However, they must be able to drive responsibly. As I outlined, we legislated on the matter in the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 and further measures will come into force later this year. Regulations are to be laid after consultation with the appropriate stakeholders. I assure members that the Executive takes the matter seriously and will continue to keep it under review.

Photo of Christine Grahame Christine Grahame Scottish National Party

There are many problems in the Scottish Borders, and Scotland-wide, with boy and girl racers. I hear what the minister says about antisocial behaviour orders and road traffic legislation, but a vehicle cannot be seized unless there is a breach of that legislation and such people are not in breach of any road traffic regulations. The police tell me that a huge problem is the exhausts that those young men and women put on their cars to soup them up and make them noisy. The police say that a simple measure would be to regulate the souping up of exhausts. Will the minister be in communication with the Minister for Transport, who says that he talks about the issue all the time, to ensure that the situation is changed? That simple action would prevent nuisance in many of our villages and towns.

Photo of Cathy Jamieson Cathy Jamieson Labour

I am sure that the Minister for Transport in the Scottish Executive wishes to discuss with me a range of issues about ensuring that our roads are safer. I remind members that the Home Secretary announced a general review of a number of pieces of road traffic law. There is a working group at UK level, which includes transport and justice officials from the Scottish Executive and which will consider a range of issues, including careless and dangerous driving. We look forward to the consultation that has been promised when the group publishes its report.