Tayside has tragic record of highest number of people killed on our roads

Police urge drivers to keep their responsibility uppermost in mind

Tayside has been named as the worst region in Scotland for road deaths.

Shocking figures released by Transport Scotland showed 22 people lost their lives on Tayside roads last year, more than any other region in the country.

Despite being among the regions with the lowest number of accidents, the transport agency’s report showed Tayside had the joint highest percentage of fatalities to incidents at 4.8%.

Fife had the joint lowest number of road deaths nationally, with just five recorded last year.

Inspector Ray Cuthill, of Tayside Road Policing Unit, urged motorists to think of the people and families behind the numbers. He said: “We all have a responsibility for our own and other road users’ safety and I would urge all road users to keep this in mind.”

Across Scotland, the number of people killed fell to a record low, with a drop of 45 from the 146 deaths in 2016.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf welcomed the figures but said there was still a lot of work to be done. He said: “There is much we can welcome from the latest provisional statistics on road casualties in Scotland. As of today, casualties on our roads are at the lowest levels since records began. I recognise that this is of little consolation to the friends and relatives of people who have sadly died as a result of road traffic incidents. We cannot forget that behind every statistic lies a tragic story.

“That is why we say that one death is one too many and that there is more that we can do, and will do, to realise ‘Vision

Zero’ and to ensure that no one is killed on Scotland’s roads.”

Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell, whose Member’s Bill aims to lower urban speed limits from 30mph to 20mph, called for more action to reduce pedestrians killed on rural roads.

He said: “While the general trend is good, it’s a real concern that on roads in

urban areas pedestrian deaths are up and serious injuries to cyclists are up.

“20mph limits are popular with the public, have been shown to reduce casualties and improve public health by making people feel confident about walking and cycling in town and city centres.”

dhealey@thecourier.co.uk

Transport Scotland says 22 people were killed on Tayside’s roads last year