On Monday 17 September 2007 Grampian Police commenced an operation to tackle rogue drivers who were driving through the pedestrian zone that forms part of the High Street in Old Aberdeen.
The operation, undertaken by local police officers and community wardens, sought to address concerns raised by the Community Council, University of Aberdeen officials and local residents that such drivers posed a risk to residents, students and children using the nearby nursery.
During the initial period of education, where drivers were stopped and reminded of the traffic regulations governing use of the High Street, 458 drivers were found to have violated the zone.
Local Constable Steve McKenzie said: "In the short time this operation has been running, to find this many drivers failing to obey the signs can only be described as very disappointing and bears out the concerns expressed to us by the local community."
He added: "To put this matter in perspective if these results are repeated during our upcoming period of enforcement we will be handing out the equivalent of almost £14,000 worth of fines in just five days. Drivers must realise that this traffic system exists for the safety of pedestrians and we will not tolerate it being used as a rat run by those without sufficient consideration or patience to drive properly".
Director of Estates at the University of Aberdeen, Angus Donaldson, said: "The number of cars caught using this road is astonishing and reaffirms our concerns over this traffic management problem."
He added: "We very much welcome the actions of Grampian Police who are trying to solve this problem."
The enforcement phase of this operation will commence on Monday 1 October 2007 and will run throughout the week. Drivers found to be entering the zone will be offered the option of accepting a £30 non endorseable offer of fixed penalty or being reported to the Procurator Fiscal.