Stevenson Welcomes Results Showing Average Speed Cameras Saving Lives

Commenting on figures issued today which show that between July and December 2015 there were no fatal accidents anywhere on the A9 route, local MSP and former Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the huge improvement in the safety record of the road since average speed cameras were installed and said the technology could be used on major routes in the North-east if the circumstances justified it.

New figures show that in the first year of operation of the new average speed cameras on the A9 (November 2014 to October 2015) there has been a 64 per cent fall in the number of fatal and serious causalities.

Commenting, SNP MSP Mr Stevenson said:

“These new figures show that the introduction of average speed cameras on the A9 has prevented serious accidents and saved lives.

“Average speed cameras were installed in the face of opposition from senior Liberal Democrat politicians – the Scottish Government’s conviction that they would make the A9 safer has now been vindicated.

“While we have not had to face the same problems in the North-east as there were on the A9, if it is shown in future that speed is a factor on any particular stretch of road which is suffering from road accidents then this is a resource which could be deployed now we have the evidence to show it not only works but saves lives.

“Dualling the A9 will make an immeasurable difference and average speed cameras will save lives in the interim but, most importantly, all drivers should avoid taking risks and drive safely on the A9 and indeed any road.”