Drivers urged to take extra care on roads following spate of accidents

Published on 03/12/2012 12:48

GRAMPIAN Police are urging drivers to take extra care on the region’s roads following a spate of accidents in the last two weeks, including three fatalities.

• Grampian police revealed that they have dealt with 77 accidents throughout Grampian since last Friday

• Snow and ice have been affecting roads, with a noticeable increase in the number of road traffic collisions

• Drivers are being urged to take extra care

The force revealed today that roads policing officers have dealt with a total of 77 accidents throughout Grampian since last Friday alone.

A woman, who has still to be named, died on Saturday from her injuries in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary following a crash between car and a van n the A96 near the Peregrine Falcon Centre near Huntly in Aberdeenshire.

Richard Plaine, 32, from Aberchirder, died after a crash on the A97 Huntly to Turriff road near Huntly on Friday And .Timothy Jones, 37, of Kirkton of Durris, was killed last Wednesday after he was struck by delivery van while walking on the South Deeside Road.

A Grampian police spokesman said: “The force continues to investigate a number of the serious collisions which have occurred in the past two weeks and for some of these collisions, the presence of wintry conditions is forming part of the Police enquiry.”

Chief Inspector Ian Wallace, the force’s head of road policing said: “Sadly we have seen an increased number of serious and fatal road traffic collisions occurring locally over the past two weeks.

“After the recent drop in temperatures, snow and ice have been affecting our roads and there has been a noticeable increase in the number of road traffic collisions reported to the police. For some of these collisions, the presence of poorer driving conditions is being included as part of our enquiries as we try to determine all the circumstances involved.”

He said that between Friday and Monday the force had dealt with a total of 77 separate road traffic collisions - at least double what would normally be reported over the period. Many of the accidents had resulted because of poorer driving conditions.

Chief Inspector Wallace added: “Driving during the winter months requires a different approach to be employed, namely using dipped headlights, reducing your speed, increasing your stopping distance, using smooth steering and avoiding harsh acceleration and braking. Some simple changes to the way you drive can make a big difference and reduce the chances of you being involved in a collision.”