A north-east MP has welcomed news that speed awareness courses may be introduced in Scotland as an alternative to prosecutions.
The education sessions are offered to those caught by police in England instead of automatically receiving fines and penalty points.
Now it has been revealed that Scotland’s Lord Advocate has formed a working group to examine whether the courses could be introduced north of the border.
Moray MP Douglas Ross was alerted to the scheme after a constituent was offered a place at a session but would have to travel to England to take part.
Mr Ross said: “I firmly believe that education plays a key role in terms of improved road safety and I think such courses would be beneficial and it’s a shame they’re not currently available in Scotland.
“During the four hours of education offered, the offender is made more aware of the possible tragic outcomes of their driving habits. This has more of an impact on the individual and is likely to produce a better outcome than prosecution.”
In a letter to Mr Ross, the Lord Advocate James Wolffe explained a working group comprising police, the Crown Office, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Scottish Government and the Scottish Safety Camera Programme had been formed to “devise the infrastructure and guidance required” to introduce the courses.