Have changes to the A9 made (arguably) the most dangerous road in Scotland any safer?

Speed camera warning sign

The A9 is a dangerous road. But there’s no getting away from the fact that it is dangerous because of driver behaviour.

Investigations, studies, consultations, reviews and more have been carried out for years by authorities like the Scottish Government, political groups, safety campaigners or academics. It is clear from these studies that common causes for crashes keep appearing:

  • driver frustration
  • dangerous overtaking manoeuvres
  • poor road markings
  • not driving to weather conditions
  • poor signage
  • speeding

Trying to make the A9 safer

For more than 10 years there has been a loud and determined push from campaigners to make the A9 safer:

  • Proposed safety improvements included:
  • Average speed cameras
  • Dualling project
  • Increased police presence

The dualling project is the most ambitious project and it had previously been pledged to be delivered by 2025.

This project is deemed vital because, as one MSP pointed out, 12 people died in 2022 on single-carriageway sections of the A9 (with 17 people dying on the A9 that year in total).

But in February 2023 this project suffered a setback when the Scottish Government revealed it was unable to procure the project for the third stage – effectively voiding the 2025 pledge.

Have Average Speed Cameras on the A9 improved road safety?

The A9 safety group have collected statistics since their formation but have ASC had any positive effects on driver behaviour and road safety?

Many concerns were raised prior to their installation, but how have these been addressed?

One of the main changes implemented at the time of the Average Speed Cameras was the increase of the HGV speed limit to 50mph. This was implemented to maintain traffic flow and reduce frustration.

Those in favour of the cameras say they help slow the traffic and keep people safer (especially in winter conditions) – however, those against the cameras say they contribute to driver frustration and increase the risk of drivers attempting dangerous overtaking manoeuvres. Officials have also been accused of using the cameras simply as a way to raise money.

Many believe that frustration and dangerous overtaking is the main problem on A9 and that the only way to address the issues is to completely dual the A9 from start to finish.

Dualling the A9

The A9 is Scotland’s longest road. It runs 273 miles from the Falkirk area of the M9 motorway to Thurso at the very tip of the mainland. In the transport world, it is often regarded as the ‘spine of Scotland’ – not just because of its length and location but because of how vital it is for trade and tourism.

However, it is the route between Perth and Inverness that is the most controversial section of the A9 because 80 miles of this 113-mile-long section are single carriageway – and it’s also the section where most fatalities occur.

In 2008 the Scottish Government agreed to improve the road and in 2011 committed to dualling the whole carriageway between Inverness and Perth by 2025.

The first 4.6-mile section between Kincraig and Dalraddy took two years to complete (at a cost of £35m) and was finished in 2017.

The second section between Luncarty and the Pass of Birnam (a 6-mile section) also took two years to complete but cost £96m – it opened in 2021.

To complete the dualling project nine more sections need to be built.

But pressures on the construction industry caused by inflation, supply chain issues sparked by COVID and the war in Ukraine are said to have put construction companies off from being willing to take on the job. The landscape of the highlands is also a geological challenge because in many areas it is difficult to carry out the work without completely shutting down the road which would arguably bring grind much of the country to a halt.

Safety advice for drivers on the A9

As the A9 is in the north of Scotland it has a unique character to it that demands greater attention.

The landscape is different with high and low verges… rolling hills... long straights… hidden bends and hidden dips…

The weather is unpredictable with heavy rain even in summer and treacherously icy in winter.

The infrastructure is different and there can be less street lighting and signage.

The road users themselves are different with many HGVs, tractors and bikers using the route – not to mention a lot of foreign drivers travelling here on holiday who may not know the road or understand the route. This means drivers need to be mindful of their need to react accordingly to these other road users.

With no permanent construction-based solution in sight – and given that the main cause of accidents is driver behaviour – the key to staying safe rests with road users themselves.

Drivers everywhere can take simple and life-saving steps:

  • adhere to the speed cameras
  • avoid overtaking on single carriageway unless necessary
  • Anticipate potential hazards - upcoming bends, hidden dips, blind summits and concealed entrances
  • Don’t use phones or sat navs while driving
  • Take rest stops – it is a long road and fatigue can impact awareness and concentration

But above all the most vital thing road users can do is be patient – getting somewhere a little later is better than not arriving at all.

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