Concerns have been raised about safety on a north-east road after startling figures revealed that hundreds of drivers are speeding past a residential area.
Council figures released by Ellon councillor Gillian Owen show that around three quarters of drivers on the A948 New Deer to Ellon road were over the 60mph.
The outraged local member has called on the police and Aberdeenshire Council to take urgent action to crack down on offenders before out of control drivers claim someone’s life.
The speeding figures were gathered over a week in June this year at a point on the A948 near Ellon’s Knockothie Crescent.
Of the 3066 vehicle movements recorded, 2195 were travelling between 60-65mph. A further 871 were travelling at speeds over 65mph and one motorist was recorded speeding at more than 110mph, only yards from a housing estate.
Last night Mrs Owen said: “I think the council should have concerns about this. These readings were taken during one week in June and if this is the same trend being repeated on a weekly basis then I believe it is the responsibility of not only the Police Scotland but the council too.
“Do we have to wait for an accident to happen? Residents living within sight of this road see firsthand on a daily basis crazy driving and sadly ‘those drivers’ obviously think themselves invincible but my concern is the destruction they could cause to innocent people should an accident occur.”
Mrs Owen said that if urgent action is not taken by the authorities then a long-mooted new cemetery for Ellon may be needed to deal with the consequences.
Last night road policing Inspector Jon Barron said that his team has been working to combat the problem on the A948.
“Speeding, or inappropriate speed, is a contributory factor in many serious and fatal road traffic collisions,” he said.
Insp Barron said all drivers must not only comply with the speed limit, but also adapt their speed for the road, traffic and weather conditions.
He added: “These types of patrols and checks will continue there and elsewhere, as part of our efforts to positively influence road user behaviour, in an effort to prevent further tragedies from occurring on our roads.”
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “We would be happy to discuss councillor Owen’s concerns with her and colleagues at Police Scotland, once we have had a chance to look at the figures.”
