A sheriff has called for preventative measures on a “tempting” stretch of road after sentencing a motorcyclist clocked at 117mph and a Porsche driver at 100mph on the same notorious stretch less than an hour apart.
The speed limit at Arrivain, near Tyndrum on the A85 Oban to Perth road in Argyll is 60mph.
However, drivers are regularly caught in a police speed trap there.
Speaking from the bench at Oban Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff Ruth Anderson QC said: “Maybe some preventative measures should be adopted at Arrivain straight. Of course it is 60mph, everyone should know that.
“No doubt the temptation of this stretch is too much for people to overcome. Maybe if they had some lighting system saying ’60, 60, 60′ it might literally put the brakes on some of the drivers. No-one seems to consider that might be of assistance.”
The two motorists were stopped by police on the same day, May 29 last year, as a result of their driving at Arrivan. They both pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.
Paul Coleman, 49, a joiner from Paisley, was caught riding his motorcycle at 117mph at 4.50pm.
Fiscal Alasdair Shaw said: “Having been cautioned and charged the accused replied, ‘It’s a long straight, that is why I have got a bike like this, to come up here and play’.”
Solicitor Paul Coyle said: “He saw the road ahead was completely clear and overtook. He over accelerated a bit longer than was necessary in hindsight.
“The temptation was just all too much.”
He was banned from driving for three months and fined £400.
London management consultant Imran Farooqi, 41, was caught at the same spot, minutes later at 5.30pm.
He admitted driving his Porsche Cayenne at 100mph, when he overtook three vehicles in a single manoeuvre.
Solicitor Steven Farmer said: “He accepts he should not have done it. It’s all too easy in one of these cars to reach that speed, particularly while overtaking.
“If you are going to drive at 100mph it’s about as good a place as possible on that stretch of road.”
Sheriff Anderson responded: “It is a bit like a roman road, it is very straight.”
She imposed eight penalty points and a £400 fine.
A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: “Speed limit enforcement is a matter for Police Scotland.
“Safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and we regularly liaise with Police Scotland to discuss road safety issues. We are currently investigating the A85 and where appropriate will consider road safety mitigation measures.”
