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A9 average speed cameras: The jury is still out

Average speed cameras on the A9
Average speed cameras on the A9

Drivers remain unconvinced that the installation of average speed cameras on the A9 is a good thing.

Those behind the wheel of a car, as well as others driving larger commercial vehicles were critical of the so-called yellow vultures as day two came to a close.

Average-speed cameras now cover the seven single carriageway 60mph sections between Perth and Inverness, as well as the continuous 70mph dual carriageway between Perth and the Keir Roundabout, south of Dunblane. At the same time a trial of raising the HGV speed limit from 40mph to 50mph has been started.

Professional driver Mark Gourdie, who regularly drives an articulated lorry on the A9, between Perth and Inverness, says there is only one solution.

He said: “I have always driven at the speed limit for heavy good vehicles, but a lot of hauliers already drive over 50mph anyway.

“So raising the speed limit will, for them, not improve the safety of the road, it will only legalise what they are already doing – which can cause accidents.

“Between Perth and Inverness there are no roundabouts, no tight bends or adverse cambers, and the road surface is also good.

“There are three variable factors though – weather, deer and drivers, and while the first two can’t be controlled, there has to be ongoing education of drivers and an active policy of prosecution of dangerous driving.

“This is until the road is dualled, which I believe is the only solution.”

Louise Christie, meanwhile, said: “The folk that are supporting it obviously never have to drive north of Perth. The road is fine going south after Perth, but Inverness to Perth is hell. Do people forget this is the main thoroughfare through Scotland?”

One of the scheme’s supporters is Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, who said: “The key issue here is one of improving journey time reliability for hauliers and other road users alike.

“Many A9 incidents, together with the resultant delays, are caused by no more than sheer motorist frustration when getting stuck behind a slow moving heavy goods vehicle.

“It makes sense that a 10mph reduction in the speed differential between cars and HGV’s will mean a corresponding reduction in frustration and accidents.”