New average speed camera system launched on major Scottish road

A new average speed camera system has been enforced to improve road safety.

The technology has been installed along a 15.9 mile stretch of road between Tyndrum and Lix Toll on the A82/85.

The system, which cost about £250,000, has been installed to improve driver behaviour following reports of up to one in three vehicles speeding in the area and 21 recorded accidents.

According to Transport Scotland, having average speed cameras installed can help reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the road.

New average speed camera system launched between Tyndrum and Lix Toll on A82/A85

The new system contains six sites and cameras are located 5 to 7km apart, operating in both directions.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson said: “Safety cameras are deployed where they have the greatest potential to reduce injury collisions. There have been 21 recorded injury collisions on our road network between Tyndrum to Lix Toll and around one in every three vehicles are speeding. This system will help to encourage improved driver behaviour and compliance with the speed limit which we expect will save lives.

“The positive impact average speed camera systems have in improving road safety has been evidenced from other areas in Scotland. We remain committed through Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 to making our roads safer, and we are working towards an ultimate vision of zero fatalities and reduced number of serious injuries on our roads.”

Chief Inspector Mark Patterson, Police Scotland Road Policing, agreed that the newly installed cameras will make the road a lot safer for drivers.

He added: “This section of road carries a high volume of commercial, local and tourist traffic and excessive speed has been a significant contributory factor in collisions resulting in serious injury or death. Elsewhere in Scotland the introduction of average speed camera systems has been shown to reduce road casualties.

“I would expect these cameras to encourage greater compliance with the posted speed limits and improved driver behaviour, resulting in safer journeys and fewer serious collisions."

The area has experienced a high number of collisions and speeding incidents in the last few years, according to Gordon Watson, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

“We want everyone visiting and living here to be able to enjoy the area safely so we welcome the introduction of these average speed cameras that have been designed to help maintain the look and feel of the road network in the National Park,” he said.