Seven motorcyclists stopped in new police drone safety operation
Last updated 21st Jul 2026
Seven motorcyclists were stopped over the weekend as part of a new safety initiative using drones to clampdown on dangerous driving.
Last month, we reported the technology is being deployed in the Scottish Borders to capture any risky manoeuvres on camera - and help educate riders, who were offered a chance to review the footage.
It follows a series of serious and fatal crashes involving bikes in the region.
Officers were captured carrying out spot checks on the A7 north of Heriot in footage released by Police Scotland.
Two of the riders were given warnings regarding their speed and two were issued with vehicle defect forms.
READ MORE: Two people taken to hospital following crash near Borders beauty spot
Chief Inspector Greg Burns, East Area Commander for Road policing at Police Scotland, said: “The use of drone technology to support rider engagement has been used by other UK forces as part of wider efforts to reduce those killed or seriously injured on the road.
“Our specially-trained and experienced motorcycle officers will use the new initiative to start conversations and offer expert advice to riders. This is to help encourage positive reflection and to highlight additional rider training opportunities that are available.
“The focus here is awareness and education. We want to support riders to think more carefully about high-risk manoeuvres such as unsafe overtaking, as well as excessive speed through bends and junctions."
READ MORE: Dangerous driver jailed for causing death of passenger in crash on A1 at Berwick
Signs were displayed along the route to alert motorists to the drone safety operation.
The initiative follows data published last year by Transport Scotland showing that 18% of all road fatalities were a motorcycle rider or passenger, despite motorcycles only being estimated to account for less than 1% of traffic in Scotland.
The Chief Inspector added: “We continue to remind all road users to be responsible on our roads. We all have a role to play in making sure everyone returns home safely.”
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