Police warning in advance of Rockness

Rock on at Rockness but don't run drink and drive risk

FANS attending this year’s Rockness festival have been given a stern don’t-drink-and-drive warning by police.
Northern Constabulary is targeting those travelling to and from the event, as part of the Association of Chief Police Officers’ summer safety campaign.
Police will be increasing the number of officers involved, to ensure that those who flout the traffic law, by getting behind the wheel, will be caught.
Inspector John Smith, Head of Road Policing, said there would be no let-up until every driver checked, was tested negative and everyone gets home safely from the event, which the Force hoped would be the case, this year. To that end, officers will be trying to encourage drivers not to run the risk.
Inspector Smith said: "If people are planning driving from the event, they should remember that alcohol can still be affecting you more than 12 hours after it is consumed, so I would encourage those driving, to bear this in mind."
Event organisers have this year included 'green' tickets, which includes bus travel to and from the event, encouraging more festival goers to leave their cars at home.
Inspector Smith again: "Every year there is an enhancement to the transport available to and from the event and we fully support this. I would ask those attending, even at this late stage, to consider whether they need to travel by car as it is a long event which will see most people very tired on its conclusion and, with this in mind, collisions can happen."
With improvements being made every year to the festival, entry points to the event have been changed slightly.
All cars will turn right at Aldourie School, including taxis and cars with passengers to drop off, where they will be directed to the car park or drop off points. Those dropping off passengers will follow the one way system to meet up with the B862, Dores road, and travel back towards Inverness. Buses will be directed to an entrance point just passed Aldourie School, also following a one way traffic flow to meet with the B862.
This will remove more vehicles from travelling towards the village of Dores and improve access for those not attending the event, but, fans are requested to leave plenty of time for their journey as, due to the numbers attending the RockNess event, there will be more vehicles on the road.
Police wanted to also remind drivers in Inverness to expect an increase in traffic on Friday 10th and Monday 13th June and should allow plenty of time for their journeys for work or access to businesses and services in particularly the area around the Southern Distributor Road.