Controversial average speed cameras are to be introduced along a 50-mile stretch of the A90.
The £2million project to install 30 cameras between Stonehaven and Dundee is designed to cut the horrific death toll on the route.
There were three fatal collisions and six serious collisions on that section of the route in 2015.
More than three in every five vehicles travelling on the stretch are exceeding the 70mph speed limit, according to Transport Scotland – with a fifth or more travelling at over 80mph.
Work to install the cameras will begin soon, with the system due to be in operation by the autumn.
Transport minister Humza Yousaf announced the plan for the A90 – which along its whole length has claimed 60 lives in the last five years alone.
Similar cameras are already in operation on the A77 between Symington and Girvan and A9 between Dunblane and Inverness on a trial basis.
But numerous groups and politicians have hit out at the move in the Highlands with even famous TV petrolhead Jeremy Clarkson criticising the machines while filming in the region and local opponents labelling them “yellow vultures”.
Schemes have also been introduced at various stretches near the under-construction Aberdeen bypass around Balmedie to the north, Charleston to the south and a section near Stonehaven.
But last night transport bosses insisted these would be temporary measures and that the systems were only introduced where a specific need had been identified.
The cameras are placed in multiple locations along a single stretch of road and take pictures as a car passes each one.
Unlike more traditional speed cameras, the devices can therefore monitor the average speed of a car rather than just relying on a single snapshot – and send tickets to owners breaking the limit.
Mr Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government is committed, through Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020, to achieving safer road travel and working towards an ultimate vision of zero fatalities and reducing the number of serious injuries on our roads.
“We already know from our experience with the A9 that average speed cameras encourage better driver behaviour, with the number of fatal casualties down by over 37% and serious injury casualties by 45%. We can also expect to see improved journey time reliability and reductions in the number of people getting points on their licence and a fine.
“Any death on our roads is one too many, and I look forward to seeing similar results on the A90 as we’ve seen on the A77 and A9 in reducing casualties and improving driver behaviour.”
Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, head of road policing at Police Scotland said: “The introduction of average speed cameras on the A90 between Dundee and Stonehaven is welcome, as it will contribute to on-going efforts to reduce the number of collisions and resultant injuries that occur on that stretch of road.”
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “This is a common sense proposal as fixed speed cameras have been in place on the A90 for decades but there are still far too many serious crashes and unfortunately the main cause is all too often poor driver behaviour.”
Liam Kerr, Conservative transport spokesman, said: “While the average speed cameras installed on the A9 were controversial, it is fair to say that evidence has pointed to a significant reduction in fatal and serious accidents.
“I know that some drivers will feel this is not the best use of £2million and will question if the cameras are necessary. But they will be worth every penny if lives can be saved.”
Last night A90 safety campaigner Jill Fotheringham, who began her campaign after the death of a friend on the road, welcomed the announcement but said it came “years too late”.
She said: “I welcome that this is happening, any safety measure is a good one.
“But I have been talking about this issue for years and only now are things being done.”
