We are fast approaching springtime and with the lighter days and (hopefully) fairer weather coming our way, it is anticipated that the road network within the Scottish Borders will become increasingly busier, as many people make journeys into and out of the region for holidaying and other recreational reasons.

In advance of this, Police Scotland will shortly be launching a national road safety campaign aimed at reducing the ‘fatal five’ incidents associated with road collisions.

Road policing officers within the Borders will be supporting this campaign and conducting a number of patrols and other activities on key arterial routes within the area.

The ‘fatal five’ are drink/drug driving, using a mobile phone or other device while driving, failing to wear a seatbelt, speeding and careless driving.

Each of these reduces the control you have over your vehicle, or the potential to keep yourself safe in the event of an accident and, as the name suggests, they are the most common factors contributing to a road fatality.

The Scottish Borders has some stunning views and routes to follow and we want everyone who uses the roads to stay safe at all times, so please help us achieve this goal by ensuring you’re not involved in one of the ‘fatal five’ road behaviours.

Officers will be monitoring for road traffic offences and should you be found to be driving carelessly, under the influence, without a seatbelt, using a device or speeding, the consequences range from a fine and points on your licence to imprisonment. Please do not risk it.

As I said before, we want our roads to be safe for everyone and with the better weather coming in, we anticipate many people will be bringing motorcycles out for the first time since the winter months began to start using them again over the spring and summer.

Our annual motorcycle safety campaign will run from April to September, as this period sees the highest number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured. The campaign aims to promote motorcycle safety and raise awareness amongst other drivers.

Motorcyclists make up only one per cent of road users in Scotland yet account for around 17 per cent of all road deaths and collisions are more likely to occur in rural areas, of which we have many.

Loss of control is the most common factor in motorcyclist collisions, so I’d ask riders to look out for hazards like loose gravel and position your bike for the best view around bends. Please also wear appropriate clothing to keep you visible and help protect against serious injury in the event you come off your motorcycle.

If you’re another road user, take care at junctions and look out for motorcyclists.

I’d like to finish this week’s column with a focus on the change of legislation relating to XL Bully dogs in Scotland.

The most recent changes include the requirement for an XL Bully to have a muzzle and be kept on a lead. It brings Scotland into line with England and Wales by making an XL Bully a prohibited breed, following a number of high profile incidents.

A full ban and requirement for an exemption certificate will not come into force until July 31, 2024 and in the meantime a number of other legislative requirements are now in place under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Please familiarise yourself with these if you are an owner of this type of animal.