Pedestrians are more likely to be killed in the north-east than anywhere else in the country a report has revealed.
New analysis has suggested that roads in Banff and Buchan are the worst in the UK for road casualties involving pedestrians in a report released today.
The number of injuries peaks in November each year for serious and fatal injuries, with 2,135 taking place across the country on average.
People aged between 16 and 24 account for almost a quarter and, shockingly, Banff and Buchan has the highest rate for those killed or seriously injured.
The analysis, which looks at incidents on the roads from 2010 to 2014, comes as the latest Constituency Road Safety Dashboard is published by insurer Direct Line and the group Pacts (Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety).
The index calculates the casualty rate for residents of each parliamentary constituency in Britain relative to the local population.
It shows the Banff and Buchan constituency has the highest annual rate for those killed or seriously injured on the roads – 103% higher than the national average.
Nearby West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine came second and neighbouring Gordon was 10th.
Other areas making up the table include Bexhill and Battle in East Sussex, Thirsk and Malton in North Yorkshire and Gosport, Hampshire.
Last night, local leaders expressed their wish for improvements in road safety.
Banffshire and Buchan coast MSP Stewart Stevenson described it as “disappointing” that so many people were dying on the roads.
“While pedestrians must act sensibly it is ultimately the responsibility of drivers to drive in a way that enables them to avoid other vulnerable road users,” he added.
“There are special risks at night and over weekends which we must make sure drivers are aware of. I will support any actions that help drivers travel safely.”
Fraserburgh councillor Brian Topping said: “One person injured or killed is one too many with the effect it has on their family and friends.
“Like a lot of accidents, most can be avoided. It just takes a moment to think if you are taking every precaution you can before you leave the house – crossing at lights instead of between cars and wearing bright clothing. Everyone has got to play their part.”
Mr Topping also sits on the government’s Scottish Accident Prevention and Safety Awareness Committee and encouraged young people to apply to the local safety group for grants to sit the advanced driving training Pass Plus.
