DANGEROUS
Residents call for speed-calming measures in wake of traffic accidents
Traffic was brought to a standstill in Rattray on Saturday afternoon after a car dramatically crashed on the road.
According to eye witnesses, the vehicle was seen “weaving” all over the road prior to the incident which they say could have been much worse had there been children or pedestrians on the pavement.
The impact of the crash, which happened around 3pm on Saturday, could be heard in people’s houses and brought local residents out on to the street to see the damage.
And the road was closed until 5pm as personnel from the emergency services, including the police, ambulance and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews dealt with the aftermath of the incident.
The Blairie understands that no one was seriously injured in the crash.
Local people have long warned of the dangers of the road between Blairgowrie and Alyth, which has seen numerous accidents over the years, and called for speed-calming measures to be introduced as a matter of urgency.
One resident told the Blairie: “Road safety has always been a serious problem here, especially for residents turning in or out of their driveways, which can be a real white knuckle ride if you’re being tail-gated by people ignoring your indicators and trying to make you
speed up.
But the increase in speeds between here and the Cross is very noticeable lately, with four-wheel drive pick-ups by far the worst offenders, followed by HGVs and buses during the day.
“Later at night it’s the noisy exhaust brigade - we can hear them winding it up from about the top of Kirkton Road and they’re often doing 60mph or more by the time they reach the dip past the Old Cross.
“It’s the same problem on the Alyth side too - you hardly see a brake light coming on until the Haer Cairn road end and people come over that blind summit far too fast.
“I’m guessing due to Police Scotland staffing arrangements monitoring known trouble spots for irresponsible driving, like this one, is not seen as a priority any more.
“We used to see a van sitting here once a fortnight or so, but I don’t think I’ve seen that at all so far this year.
“We really need speedcalming measures up here as a matter of urgency - and random breath tests later in the day would also be a good idea.”
Local councillor for Blairgowrie and Glens, Caroline Shiers, said: “I saw the aftermath of the accident on Saturday and will ask the police if speeding was involved in this incident.
“I have also asked that if we can look at traffic speeds again across the whole town.”
And Councillor Tom McEwan added: “Road safety around our rural roads is and will always be a concern for residents especially at the points where these rural roads enter our towns and villages.
“Drivers unwilling to slow down to 20 or 30mph are putting themselves, residents, visitors and properties at severe risk.
“Traffic calming with priority given to vehicles leaving our towns and villages is something the council in conjunction with the roads department should continue to look at, to minimise road accidents.
“If anyone has any concerns about individuals driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol they should contact the police on 101 immediately.”