Campaigners in Scotland are expressing fears over the impact of cuts to road traffic officer numbers in the country over the last decade.

Figures obtained by BBC Scotland News reveal there were 548 officers in June – 14% less than in March 2014.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and road safety charity Brake told BBC Scotland a visible presence offered a strong deterrent against offending.

But Police Scotland said “hard choices” had to be made to maintain an effective overall service.

Last year, 174 people lost their lives on Scotland’s roads – the highest number since 2016.

(File picture – VESOS)