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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
The National
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- The National
New campaign urges tourists to drive on left on Scottish roads
In 2023, 35 collisions were caused by overseas drivers' inexperience of driving on the left, according to the latest report on road casualties in Scotland by Transport Scotland. This figure is a 46% increase from the 24 collisions recorded in the previous year. Around 1% of all collisions in Scotland in 2023 were linked to drivers' inexperience with driving on the left, according to the report. READ MORE: Scottish airports face summer disruption as strikes loom The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched a new campaign to remind tourists to drive on the left during their visits. The campaign will distribute "Drive on the Left" wristbands in eight different languages in the hospitality sector and at car rental companies, along with leaflets offering advice about driving in Scotland. Commenting, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop (below) said: 'Scotland's roads can present real challenges for overseas visitors. Fiona Hyslop "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. '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." READ MORE: Scottish Labour by-election candidate snubs BBC interview The campaign is supported by Scottish businesses and organisations in the hospitality and tourism sectors, including National Trust for Scotland. The car rental companies participating in the campaign include Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Sixt and Europcar. Scott McCombie, senior ranger at the National Trust for Scotland's 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.' Amanda Brandon, director of member engagement at the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, said it is important for the association and its rental members to remind overseas drivers to drive on the left. '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,' she added.
The Herald Scotland
27-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Concern as crashes caused by tourists jumps by 46 per cent
Latest figures show there were 35 collisions caused by overseas drivers' inexperience of driving on the left – a 46% increase on the 24 collisions recorded in the previous year. With international travel to Scotland continuing to grow, the campaign reinforces the requirement to drive on the left and highlights other useful information about Scotland's roads to help overseas drivers ensure the safety of themselves and other road users. 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. READ MORE: '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. 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." The campaign will see Drive on the Left wristbands, available in eight languages, be distributed to visitors via the hospitality sector and car rental companies including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Sixt and Europcar, along with Driving in Scotland leaflets offering practical advice about driving on Scotland's roads. It is also being supported by organisations and businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors, to ensure as many overseas drivers as possible are reminded to drive on the left while visiting Scotland. 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.'
