New research suggesting that driver behaviour on the A9 Inverness-Perth road has improved has been welcomed by the SNP.
A survey of 300 drivers carried out after average speed cameras were installed on the road shows a reduction in road rage and fewer dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.
Around 75% of respondents also said they “never” exceed the limit by more than 15mph, compared to 43% who said they did before the cameras were installed.
The SNP’s candidate for Perth and North Perthshire, Pete Wishart, said: “This is really good news for everyone in Perthshire and everyone who travels by road to the Highlands.
“These figures clearly show a significant improvement in speeding – this can only be a good thing for everyone, and will help make journeys on the A9 safer for all road users.”
The SNP’s candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Drew Hendry, said: “These are of course very welcome findings which show the A9 is becoming a safer route – and hopefully Danny Alexander will now stop his deeply irresponsible criticism of the Scottish Government’s efforts to improve road safety.
“If Danny Alexander and the Lib Dems had had their way, then there would be no action to improve the A9 and make it a safer road.
“The do-nothing approach Danny Alexander advocated was simply reckless now with this latest survey showing that safety has improved, he should be honest enough to apologise.”
Highland LibDem candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Danny Alexander said: “It is SNP inaction that has seen eight wasted years when not a single metre of A9 has been dualled.
“Highlanders know dualling is the best way to improve safety on the A9. What is lacking is the drive from SNP ministers to get diggers in the ground.
“I will continue to campaign for a safer A9, for the road to be dualled, and for a fair share of investment for the Highlands.”