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The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Road deaths increased to 160 last year, figures show
The data shows there were 160 road deaths in 2024, an increase of 13 from a revised figure of 147 in 2023. There were 1,931 serious casualties in 2024, a slight reduction from the 1,952 recorded in 2023. Less severe accidents, or slight casualties, decreased by 7% during the same period, with 3,739 incidents in 2023 and 3,485 in 2024. READ MORE: With serious and slight casualties combined, there was a 4% overall decrease in 2024 – 5,838 to 5,576. The number of active travel fatalities also reduced, with 47 pedestrian and seven cyclist fatalities in 2023, compared with 41 pedestrian and three cyclist deaths in 2024. The overall increase in fatalities last year was largely due to a rise in deaths involving cars, which rose from 57 to 74. Motorcycle deaths increased from 27 to 31. Road casualties were lower in 2020 and 2021 as the pandemic led to less travel. However in 2024, the number of fatalities was the third-lowest recorded in a non-pandemic year. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: 'Behind every one of these statistics is a person or a household that has been changed forever, and my thoughts are with the families and friends that have lost loved ones and those who've been injured. 'One life lost on our roads is one too many, and I want to reiterate that road safety remains an absolute priority for the Scottish Government. 'I updated Parliament last year that fatal casualties were tracking above targets in 2024 and, sadly, the figures published today confirm an overall rise in casualties last year. 'However, I refuse to accept that people being killed or injured on our roads is inevitable and it is more important than ever that we continue to support the vital work of the Scottish Government and partners to save lives. 'We are increasing investment in road safety in this budgetary year to a record £48 million. 'This will help fund safety improvements on both trunk roads and local roads, high-profile campaigns to raise awareness of key issues like speeding, seatbelts and drink/drug-driving, as well as advancing the use of technology aimed at making our roads safer. 'It's vital that we continue to work with our partners at all levels as we look towards reaching our target of Scotland having the best road safety performance in the world by 2030. 'I recently spoke to organisations at the Road Safety Scotland annual seminar and I am set to chair the next strategic partnership board meeting later this month, where I will continue to impress the importance of road safety investment on members. 'These figures are a painful reminder of the challenge we face, but I remain absolutely determined to save lives and ensure we continue working towards our long-term vision of no-one being killed or seriously injured on Scotland's roads by 2050.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Rise in crashes caused by tourists driving on wrong side of road
The number of crashes caused by visitors to Scotland driving on the wrong side of the road has increased by 46% in a year. Figures released by Transport Scotland showed there were 35 collisions caused by "inexperience of driving on the left" in 2023, up from 24 the previous year. Campaigners have described the rise as "disappointing" and called for additional signage and prompts to be put in place as a reminder for tourists, particularly in rural areas. Road Safety Scotland said there was no clear reason for the increased frequency of crashes. One of the collisions recorded in the 2023 figures resulted in a death. Signage is often placed at airports and other transport hubs and car hire facilities reminding drivers that vehicles in the UK drive on the left side of the road. 'Keep left' campaign targets tourists Crash survivor in 'keep left' campaign The vast majority of visitors to Scotland in 2023 came from mainland Europe and the United States – all of which are right-hand drive countries. Sharon Anslow, founder of the Keep Left campaign, said more had to be done to educate drivers. Mrs Anslow was injured when her car was pushed into a ditch during a head-on collision with a tourist while driving to work in Portree on the Isle of Skye in December 2018. She had to be freed from the wreckage by fire crews and said she was forced to move house due to the trauma of driving on the same route during her work commute. The other driver involved in the crash received a fixed penalty notice despite driving on the wrong side of the road for at least a mile before the crash. Mrs Anslow told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme she had secured funding to put up 250 signs along the roads in Skye and Lochalsh to remind drivers where they should be. But she said the onus should be on councils and road managers to keep other motorists safe. "Raising awareness is fantastic and there are lots of resources online," she said. "But it's not the answer. We should be providing, not just the tourists, but the locals across the whole of Scotland, with proper roads to drive on, with proper signage and directional arrows to keep everybody safe." In 2022, Italian naval officer Alfredo Ciociola was convicted of killing five people, including his four-year-old son, in a crash on the A96 near Keith. Two years earlier, Gerrit Reickmann, from Germany, caused the death of his girlfriend Melina Rose Päprer when he was involved in a head-on crash while driving on the wrong side of the road near Drumnadrochit in the Highlands. Road Safety Scotland director, Michael McDonnell, said tourists often struggled in more rural areas, where there was little to no traffic to "prompt" them into driving on the correct side. He also said tiredness could be a factor. The organisation has worked with VisitScotland and car hire companies to educate tourists on where they should be driving. They have provided vehicle rental companies with wristbands with the message "drive on the left" in nine different languages. It is hoped that drivers would see them while they have their hands on the steering wheel. Mr McDonnell said passengers also had a role to play in keeping the driver aware of where they should be on the road. He said: "The difficulty we have in Scotland is that one of the attractions of the country is the remote, rural areas, the places people like to visit with its tremendous beauty spots. "Quite often, people, when they go into these areas, they encounter less traffic and so, when there is a lot of traffic on the road you get hints as to where you should be. "The same thing happens early in the morning or late at night when people set off, so you get this increase just when there isn't traffic on the road."
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Number of Scots crashes caused by foreign motorists soars by 46 per cent in a year
Tourists are being reminded to drive on the left in a new campaign SMASH SURGE Number of Scots crashes caused by foreign motorists soars by 46 per cent in a year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE number of crashes caused by foreign motorists has soared by 46 per cent in a year, figures reveal. Tourists are being reminded to drive on the left in a new campaign launched following the spike in road accidents. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The campaign was launched by Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland Credit: Smarts on behalf of the Scottish Government 4 It was launched to remind tourists to drive on the left side of the road Credit: Alamy The latest data shows 35 collisions in Scotland in 2023 were due to overseas visitors' inexperience of the rule, up from 24 the year before. International travel to Scotland continues to grow, with the increasing popularity of road trips such as the North Coast 500. In June last year a Chinese tourist killed a biker who was travelling to fulfil a 'bucket list' wish of touring the NC500. Motorist Die Huang, 51, was driving on the wrong side of the road when she hit Andrew MacPherson's bike, throwing him into the air on the A9 near Calvine in Perthshire. She admitted causing the death of Mr MacPherson, 63, from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, by driving dangerously and was jailed for 14 months last November. Huang was also disqualified from driving for five years and seven months. Judge Lord Harrower told Huang: 'No sentence of this court can alleviate the anguish being suffered by Mr MacPherson's entire family.' Car rental firms and the hospitality sector will now hand out leaflets offering international holidaymakers tips on navigating single-track roads, roundabouts and junctions. They will also be given Drive On The Left reminder wristbands, available in eight languages, as part of the campaign — a partnership between the Government and Road Safety Scotland. The campaign, launched by Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland, is set to help overseas drivers keep themselves and other road users safe. The North Coast 500: Scotland's Must-Visit Road Trip Beats the Grand Canyon It is being supported by organisations and businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors - with some saying it "could save lives" Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: "Scotland is a beautiful country and we want our visitors to make the most of their trip, but Scotland's roads can present real challenges for overseas visitors. "With rural single-track routes, rapidly changing weather, unfamiliar road signs, and quiet stretches where drivers may lose concentration, it's essential that visitors are aware of the need to drive on the left. "Our Drive on the Left campaign aims to equip overseas drivers with the information they need to drive safely, including tips on navigating single-track roads, passing places, roundabouts, and junctions." As part of the campaign, motorists will be given Drive on the Left wristbands - available in eight languages. Driving in Scotland leaflets will also be available for practical advice about driving on Scotland's roads. These will be handed out to visitors in the hospitality sector and car rental companies including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Sixt and Europcar. Scott McCombie, National Trust for Scotland's Senior Ranger at Glencoe National Nature Reserve, said: "Each year, those of us who live and work in the Highlands see a number of collisions on roads involving folk who are not used to driving on the left. "Just recently there was a collision at our Visitor Centre entrance from the A82 where someone looked the wrong direction and pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle. Luckily, no one was hurt but it could have been more serious. "We want to continue welcoming people to experience this amazing part of the country, so this is an important campaign that could save lives." Amanda Brandon, Director of Member Engagement, BVRLA, said: "Overseas travellers represent a core portion of rental customers every year and it is vital that they travel safely. "The risks are greater with people that are not used to driving in Scotland. "Many won't have driven on the left before, on top of the fatigue, confusion or distraction that come with being in a new country. "It is therefore critical that the BVRLA and its rental members, in conjunction with the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland, come together to reduce those risks and ensure all road users can travel safely. "Through practical guidance, prompts throughout their hire, and the conscious effort of rental providers at the point of handover, this partnership helps overseas travellers to drive safely and confidently while visiting Scotland." 4 International travel to Scotland continues to grow, with the increasing popularity of road trips such as the North Coast 500 Credit: Alamy
STV News
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- STV News
Surge in crashes caused by tourists driving wrong way on Scottish roads
The number of collisions caused by overseas drivers on the wrong side of the road has increased by 46% in a year. According to Transport Scotland, there were 35 collisions caused by overseas drivers' inexperience of driving on the left in 2023 – compared to just 24 recorded in the previous year. Recently, there was a collision at the Glencoe Visitor Centre entrance from the A82 where someone looked in the wrong direction and pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle. In June 2024, a Chinese tourist killed a motorcyclist heading for the Highlands after driving on the wrong side of the A9 Inverness to Pitlochry road. Five years ago, a 30-year-old man from Germany was behind the wheel of a hired Citreon C3 when he ended up on the wrong side of the road before smashing head-on into a Honda CRV. His girlfriend, 24, did not survive the collision near Borlum Farm in Drumnadrochit on October 12, 2020. The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched a campaign reminding visitors to drive safely and responsibly and, most importantly, on the left. 'Each year, those of us who live and work in the Highlands see a number of collisions on roads involving folk who are not used to driving on the left,' Scott McCombie, National Trust for Scotland's senior ranger at Glencoe National Nature Reserve, said. 'Just recently there was a collision at our Visitor Centre entrance from the A82 where someone looked the wrong direction and pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle. Luckily, no one was hurt but it could have been more serious.' He added: 'We want to continue welcoming people to experience this amazing part of the country, so this is an important campaign that could save lives.' With international travel to Scotland continuing to grow, the campaign will see Drive on the Left wristbands distributed to visitors via the hospitality sector and car rental companies including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Sixt and Europcar. The wristbands will be available in eight languages, and Driving in Scotland leaflets will give visitors practical advice about driving on Scotland's roads. 'Scotland is a beautiful country and we want our visitors to make the most of their trip, but Scotland's roads can present real challenges for overseas visitors,' transport minister Fiona Hyslop said. 'With rural single-track routes, rapidly changing weather, unfamiliar road signs, and quiet stretches where drivers may lose concentration, it's essential that visitors are aware of the need to drive on the left.' Hyslop said the campaign will aim to equip overseas drivers with the information they need to drive safely on Scotland's roads, roundabouts and junctions. 'We are urging all visitors who will be getting behind the wheel during their trip to ensure they travel safely by planning ahead, staying alert, taking regular breaks and knowing the rules of the road,' she said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
