Published: Thursday, 29th October, 2009 3:19pm

Borders top cop blames Top Gear for 'need for speed' culture

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THE BORDERS' top police chief this week blamed television programmes such as BBC 2's Top Gear and car magazines for glorifying speed on the region's roads.

David Strang, Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police, made the comments during a meeting of the full council at the Scottish Borders Council headquarters yesterday.

It came the day after the motorcyclist clocked driving at an unprecedented 166mph on the A702 near West Linton was jailed for nine months.

Council members raised queries about whether any plans had been made to introduce speed cameras onto the notorious Dolphinton straight.

Chief Constable Strang replied that plans were in place to investigate possible speed-reducing measures, including special cameras which measure average speed over a set distance.

But he focussed on the importance of changing attitudes to speed amongst Scotland's drivers, with fast cars being glorified on a frequent basis in the media.

He said: "I don't know what members opinions are on Jeremy Clarkson, but you only need to look at a Sunday newspaper or magazine, or watch an episode of Top Gear to see speed being promoted as a positive, macho thing.

"We need to change this attitude to speed. We need to get the message out to people that it is criminally negligent and dangerous to drive in this way."

It is not the first time that the BBC 2 presenter has got in hot water over the programme. In 2006 he faced criticism from the Department for Transport, who blamed the car veteran for encouraging young men to turn 'primal' behind the wheel of a car.