New speed trap cameras on A94 to reduce accidents

NINE new speed trap camera locations are to be deployed along the A94, between Perth and Forfar, in a bid to reduce fatal and serious accidents on the busy single carriageway road.

• Study shows many regular motorists drive on road above speed limit.

• 26 collisions over two-year period.

The new sites will be used to increase the areas where mobile cameras can operate along the route.

A spokeswoman for the Tayside Safety Camera Partnership said: “Enforcement has taken place on the A94 between Scone and Coupar Angus since the safety camera partnership was established in 2003. This route has now been extended and enforcement of the national speed limit will take place from Scone to Forfar.

“The route will comprise of two sections Scone to Coupar Angus and Coupar Angus to Forfar. A new camera location is to be created by Perth and Kinross Council to the Scone side of Perth Aerodrome and eight new locations have been created on the Coupar Angus to Forfar section of the route. Signage has been installed along the length of the A94 to support the deployment of safety cameras.”

Enforcement

She explained: “Traffic surveys and speed data have highlighted the road has a high proportion of regular users, with a high percentage of drivers recorded travelling over the national speed limit for their vehicle type. Collision and casualty data shows there were 26 personal injury collisions - two fatal, 11 seriously injured and 13 slight injured - between 2009 and 2011.”

Arron Duncan, the Partnership Manager, said: “Enforcement has taken place on the A94 for the last nine years and recent speed and collision monitoring information has identified a need to extend mobile camera enforcement onto the stretch of the A94 that lies in Angus.

“The A94 is a rural single carriageway road and collisions often occur at bends, dips and junctions and travelling at speed provides drivers with less time to react and increases the severity of collisions and injuries when they occur. We have established a route strategy to maintain regular attendance to address this.”

Wintry

A spokeswoman for Angus Council said: “We welcome any such moves which help to improve safety for those travelling on our roads. We will continue to support the initiative through our partnership working approach.”

Councillor John Kellas, Perth and Kinross Council’s Enterprise and Infrastructure Convener commented: “I welcome this additional provision of safety cameras along the busy A94. It will be a visible reminder to motorists to drive to the speed limit, and to prevailing conditions. This is particularly important in wet and wintry weather such as we have recently experienced.”