Speed cameras shown to cut A9 casualties

New figures reveal 37% drop in people injured in accidents since cameras were introduced

New figures reveal that the number of people injured in accidents on the A9 has dropped by 37% since average speed cameras were introduced.

An average of 142,000 vehicles use the A9 every day and in the past it has had an unenviable reputation as one of the country’s most dangerous roads.

Improvements have been seen both north and south of Perth, however, with the A9 Safety Group reporting fewer incidents and delays and more reliable journey times over the past two years.

It believes the A9 interim safety plan – introduced while work is undertaken to dual the road in its entirety – has also led to a “significant improvement” in driver behaviour.

The safety group’s chairman, Stuart Wilson, said: “These most recent figures continue to demonstrate that driver behaviour on the A9 between Dunblane and Inverness has significantly improved since the introduction of average speed cameras.

“The number of overall casualties is down by 37%, journey times are more reliable and this vital route has seen fewer incidents and delays.

“The number of vehicles travelling at excess speed is down by 95% over this two-year period and measured journey times remain consistent and within the original estimated range.

“Figures from Police Scotland also demonstrate that there is a 63% reduction in the number of drivers detected for speeding offences.

“Whilst these figures are encouraging, we will continue to monitor the A9 to further improve the safety of the route.

The A9 Safety Group has said it intends to launch a summer campaign focusing on driver distraction.

The Scottish Government, meanwhile, has announced renewed investment in improvements for the country’s trunk roads network.

That will see further money spent on the M90 at Kinross, which was overlooked for years but has now been the subject of a series of resurfacing works.

The maintenance funding announced is in addition to the major improvements taking place across the network, such as the dualling of the A9.

Dualling of the road between Perth and Inverness is expected to continue until 2025.

Figures from Police Scotland also demonstrate that there is a 63% reduction in the number of drivers detected for speeding offences. SAFETY GROUP CHAIRMAN STUART WILSON

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Journey times over the past two years have been more reliable.