A biker has been left with “life-changing” injuries after a crash involving a car early yesterday morning.
The 32-year-old was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after colliding with a car on the A952 Fraserburgh to Mintlaw road, near New Leeds.
He remains in a serious condition in hospital, although police described his injuries as “life-changing” but not life-threatening.
Emergency services were called at about 3.30am, and the road remained shut for nearly 10 hours while collision investigators examined the scene.
And last night, police confirmed the 35-year-old driver of the car – a silver convertible – has been charged in connection with the incident, and will appear at Peterhead Sheriff Court today.
The crash is the latest in a spate of serious incidents across the north-east in the last fortnight.
Three people have died in the past fortnight and local leaders are now calling for action to be taken to improve safety measures.
Ellon councillor Gillian Owen said: “Better roads so that people don’t get stuck behind traffic and can get to their destination quicker would make a big difference. It’s something we need to talk about seriously.
“I think it’s time for us to get around the table, and it’s been highlighted in our area over the last few weeks. Three fatalities, and others seriously injured. That’s a major thing to be happening.”
She also encouraged road users to report drivers who are a risk to others.
She added: “Sometimes a little knock on the door from the police gives people the nudge to think about what they’re doing.”
Mintlaw councillor Lenny Pirie added it was “poignant” to hear of another crash on the road.
“It’s very disappointing to see it happening,” he said.
“There have been a few accidents on that road, we’ll have to look at it and see if anything can be done. We have to work together.”
Yesterday, police launched a safety initiative to remind motorists of the darker nights leading into winter.
In 2014, 200 people died on Scotland’s roads. A further 1,694 were seriously injured.
Sergeant Jon Barron, from Aberdeen’s roads unit, said patrols would be focused on areas with a collision history.
He added: “Additionally, we’ll be doing roadside checks to ensure vehicles are road-worthy for the winter months ahead.”