Car prangs put dent in police funds
Crashes involving police officers in patrol cars are costing police forces hundreds of thousands of pounds each year, figures show.
The biggest expenditure, for which information was given, was for repairs to damaged cars, but compensation payouts were also a major expense and exact figures for legal fees to defend officers in the courts were not disclosed.
Forces in Scotland were asked how much had been paid in connection with road incidents involving their vehicles since January 2008.
Scotland's biggest force, Strathclyde Police, paid out £948,277 to repair vehicles that had been damaged in collisions and £255,745 in compensation for third-party claims between January 1, 2008, and December 31 last year
It said a breakdown of legal fees would not be provided as the cost of examining around 387 files would exceed time limits under Freedom of Information legislation.
Lothian and Borders Police said they spent £11,912 for third-party injuries and £103,588 for third-party vehicle repairs when the police driver was deemed to have been responsible for the accident between April 2008 and January this year.
They have also forked out £4,349 on third party solicitors` fees and £10,047 for police solicitors including the cost of chasing responsible third parties.
The force said: "Due to the drawn-out nature of injury claims, settlement is not achieved as speedily as those claims where injury is not a feature. No personal injury payments have yet been made in respect of incidents that occurred after April 1, 2009."