Police Scotland warns motorists 'think very carefully' as driving offences continue to rise
More and more people across Edinburgh are being spotted driving while on their mobile phone or without their seatbelts
Police Scotland have warned drivers to “think very carefully” after recently released data shows a growing number of drivers are being reported for traffic offences in the city each year.
The rising number caught driving without a seatbelt or while using their mobile phone will be particularly concerning for residents with both up 87 per cent and 51 per cent respectively from 2022.
Not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone are two of “the fatal five” risks to motorists.
Almost one in four of those killed on Scotland’s roads were not wearing a seatbelt at the time, according to Transport for Scotland.
Those found on their phone while driving can be handed six penalty points and a £200 fine, while driving without a seatbelt carries an up to £500 fine.
AI-assisted traffic cameras were installed in two spots in Edinburgh last month as part of a four week survey to help stamp out drivers not wearing seatbelts and distracted by their phones.
Reports of mobile phone offences have fallen by 19 per cent in the last year however seatbelt offences remained stubbornly high, increasing by 4 per cent to 269 over the course of the year ending June 2026.
The number of motorists reported for speeding in the city, meanwhile, are down 25 per cent.
Driving under the influence as well as dangerous and careless driving – such as ignoring traffic lights or driving aggressively – have also fallen by 3 per cent and 5 per cent in the last year.
The bulk of incidents in the year ending June 2026 were reports of unlawful use of a vehicle, 1,153, and driving under the influence, 3,357.
There has also been a nearly fourfold increase in vehicles spotted with defects like broken brake lights or a damaged windscreen since 2022.
Transport Scotland currently aims to make the country the top in the world in terms of road safety by 2030 and eventually have zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop previously said: ““We know using a mobile phone behind the wheel when driving and not wearing a seatbelt are two of the highest factors which risk death or injury on our roads and present significant dangers to other drivers and passengers on Scotland’s roads.
The minister added that her government “cannot allow that to continue”.
Police Scotland’s Road Policing division said they were committed to influencing road user behaviour, reducing casualties as well as detecting and deterring criminality on the roads.
Inspector Kosmas Papakyriakou said: “We are committed to reducing casualties through roadside enforcement and various preventative initiatives which address risk taking behaviour and help road users make safe choices.
“Everyone has a responsibility to improve road safety. That could mean having an honest conversation with your friend, neighbour or relative about their driving or reporting someone driving under the influence to police.
“Put away your mobile phone, don’t speed, always wear a seatbelt and never drive after consuming alcohol or drugs. Think very carefully about your actions because one wrong decision can have catastrophic consequences."