Highland residents and visitors reminded to adhere to speed limits

Issued by Safety Cameras Scotland

As we kick off Police Scotland’s national campaign on speeding, running from 13-26 March, we would like to remind residents and visitors to the Highlands of the importance of driving safely and adhering to the speed limits.

Road Policing Officers and our colleagues in the Safety Camera Unit will be monitoring motorist’s speeds across the region in a bid to make roads safer for all road users.

The past year has seen an increase in the number of serious and fatal collisions within the Highlands making this type of action all the more critical.

As this campaign closes the Easter holidays commence and we are aware that the area will once again see an increase in visitors as folk head to experience the Scottish Highlands, Islands and the NC500. Many of these visitors are not familiar with driving in the area and we would urge all to consider the tips provided for travelling in the area.

Inspector Donnie Mackinnon of the Highland and Islands Road Policing Unit said “Our priority is firmly focused on reducing road casualties and improving road safety.  Our patrols will continue to robustly enforce road traffic legislation across the Highland and Islands area with the intention of positively influencing driver behaviour.  It is vitally important that all road users make safe and sensible decisions because all too often, our team attend and investigate collisions caused by poor driving and risk taking which have a devastating and lasting effect on those involved.”

Eric Dunion, Police Scotland’s North Safety Camera Unit Manager says “You may be driving the same Highland routes daily on your commute to work, occasionally to visit a friend or attraction or this may be your first time driving in the area during your holidays; whatever your experience we are keen for all those travelling to have an enjoyable and safe experience. 

We have a number of enforcement locations across the region with a history of speeding and speed related collisions, all those locations can be viewed on our website www.safetycameras.gov.scot.

Please think about your speeds whilst driving, keep within the speed limits and remember to amend your speed to the changing and challenging road and weather conditions’.

Top tips to driving within the Highlands:

• Many roads in the Highlands area are classified as rural roads so prepare for the unexpected, as you never know what could be round the corner.
• Drive at a speed that doesn’t affect your decision-making ability – this could be well below the speed limit.
• Look out for blind summits and hidden dips. Keep an eye on road signs and slow down as you approach.
• Single-track roads – these are only wide enough for one vehicle and you will see signs for ‘passing places’. If you observe a vehicle travelling towards you – or the driver behind wants to overtake – pull into a passing place on your left or wait opposite a passing place on your right. Do not park in passing places.
• Give way to vehicles coming uphill whenever you can. If necessary, reverse until you reach a passing place to let the other vehicle pass.
• Be prepared for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists, or farm livestock or wild animals moving from one side of the road to the other. Allow yourself enough time and space to move either into a passing place or off the road.
• Always reduce your speed on the approach to built-up areas.
• Fasten your seat belt – it could make a crucial difference to you and your passengers in the event of a crash.
• Prepare for the unexpected – you might know the road like the back of your hand, but conditions and other traffic are always changing.
• Put away any distractions. Ignore your phone and do not attempt to set your Sat-Nav while driving.