AN appeal has gone out to residents and drivers in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area to be patient when bin lorries are in their streets.

Fife Council is urging people to drive safely around bin lorries when they appear in the communities to empty bins.

The waste industry is already potentially dangerous, and, unfortunately, this is being made more difficult by what the local authority sees as 'reckless, impatient motorists' who are making roads and pavements unsafe, as well as injuring waste collectors.

Bin drivers often face difficult situations, such as was witnessed in Lumphinnans recently when because of parking issues near the new Lindsay House Care Village complex with vehicles parked either side of the road, a bin lorry making collections had to literally 'squeeze' through between parked two vehicles to get to the care complex bin base.

Thankfully, most local drivers help crews by driving safely and patiently. Despite this, reports from council waste collectors and drivers show that waste collection crews are subjected to regular serious incidents involving dangerous driving and verbal or physical abuse.

Fife Council is calling on all motorists to be patient around waste vehicles, as accidents can have a huge impact on people’s lives, including the person driving dangerously.

The issues faced by waste collectors and bin lorry drivers include: ‘Road rage’ – drivers being impatient and mounting pavements to get past lorries in urban areas, rather than waiting for the lorry to move on.

Drivers crawling behind bin lorries, then suddenly speeding past the vehicles, resulting in vehicle collisions and near misses.

Drivers giving verbal abuse (and sometimes physical abuse) to waste collectors and lorry drivers.

Cllr Ross Vettraino, convener of the Environment, Protective Services & Community Safety Committee, said: “Most local drivers are careful and considerate, and their help and patience as they negotiate the council’s refuse collection vehicles is greatly appreciated.

“Sadly, recent incidents have included verbal abuse, violence, and near-misses by impatient drivers, all of which makes the job of refuse collection even harder. Consequently, the council is increasing staff training to widen awareness of the risks and is working with Police Scotland to reduce threatening behaviour, as well as dangerous driving.

"Council employees are doing the essential job of emptying your bins and deserve to be able to do this in safety and free from abuse. It should also be remembered that refuse collection, in common with all public services, is a better service, if it has the public’s active support.”

Inspector Andy Mather, Fife Road Policing, said: “The collection of refuse and recycling materials is an important job and Fife Council staff should be afforded courtesy by all road users as these operatives go about their daily business.

"If you have to stop your vehicle to give way to oncoming vehicles, remember to give operatives plenty of room as they may be working at the rear of the lorry. Also, be aware that some operatives could be crossing the road with wheelie bins, and may not see or hear you approach.

"There is no excuse for squeezing your vehicle past a refuse lorry, mounting the pavement or conducting any other form of antisocial driving behaviour. Police Scotland will consider investigating any such allegations reported to them, which could result in a driver being reported for careless driving, which carries a minimum of 3 points and £100 fine."

Ken Gourley, Head of Assets, Transportation and Environment, Fife Council, added: “Fife Council employees are working hard to do the best possible job. We’re encouraging our employees to report incidents to their managers and in severe cases to Police Scotland.

“Our workers are someone’s son, daughter, parent, husband, wife or partner. There’s simply no excuse for illegally driving a car on the pavement to get around one of our collection vehicles, especially just to save a few seconds on a journey."