Information uncovered from a Freedom of Information Request has shown that Scottish Police Cars are involved in over 8 collisions a day on Scotland’s roads.
In 2013 there were 1696 collisions involving police cars, with the number totalling 1349 in 2014; data which also included those where a third party was to blame, animal strikes, glass damage, vandalism and other non-fault incidents.
Combined this equates to 3045 incidents or 8.3 accidents a day.
The cost to the taxpayer of these prangs was a combined £1,756,027, a number Murdo Fraser MSP has said he hopes to see reduced.
In 2010 it was revealed that cars from the Metropolitan police force in London were involved in an astonishing 12 crashes a day, although the Met does employ twice as many officers as Police Scotland.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“It is quite astonishing to think that Scottish Police Cars have been involved in over 3000 accidents over the past two years.
“Our police officers do a fantastic job and obviously where officers are driving at high speeds accidents will happen.
“However, in order to minimise the cost to the taxpayer and to reduce the chance of public injury I would hope to see these numbers reduce.
“In their response Police Scotland did provide a lengthy list of initiatives aimed at reducing crashes and I would hope that these measures can help with what is a very serious public safety issue.”