Scotland's most dangerous trunk roads revealed as 137 accidents lead to deaths

The Scottish Government released the information to the Scottish Liberal Democrats about the trunk road network in Scotland.

The M8 is listed as one of Scotland's most dangerous roads.

Roads to the Highlands are among the most dangerous roads in Scotland according to data from the Scottish Government.

The data, which was obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats following a written question to the Scottish Government, ranks the worst trunk roads for accidents where someone was seriously injured or died.

Overall, there 785 serious or fatal accidents on Scotland’s trunk roads – operated by Transport Scotland rather than roads maintained by local authorities – with 137 accidents leading to one or more deaths between January 2017 and summer 2019.

The roads which top the list include the A82 between Glasgow and Inverness, via Fort William with 73 accidents, the A9 from Falkirk to Thurso with 69 accidents, and the A90 between Edinburgh and Fraserburgh.

Longer roads will tend to have more accidents due, however they are also quieter than busier motorways such as the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow which sits sixth in the list with 35 accidents.

Also included on the list are the A77 between Glasgow and Portpatrick, A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness, M74 between Gretna and Glasgow, A85 between Perth and Oban, the A92 between Dunfermline and Aberdeen, and the A83 in Argyll.

Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Jamie Stone, said not enough has changed in reducing the level of danger faced on the roads in the Highlands by motorists.

He said: "With our tourist industry reopening, thousands of people will be planning their trips to see more of our beautiful country. After a really tough few months, I know how much businesses in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross are looking forward to welcoming them.

“I have been on about the dreadful and dangerous state of our roads ever since I was elected to Holyrood in 1999. It’s a hugely personal issue for me. As I told the Scottish Parliament way back in 2005, I lost a friend who I worked with in Nigg who died due to an accident on the A9. That was 15 years ago and for many areas not enough has changed.

“Unfortunately, as these figures show, too many people are still falling victim to death or serious injury on Scotland’s roads.”

Mr Stone also called for urgent investment in roads in the north of the country, particularly as road traffic increases due to the tourism industry reopening.

He said: “The Scottish Government must take responsibility for this alarming situation. The very least we can do for the families of those who have died is sort out our roads.

"Lots of investment has been ploughed into roads in the south of Scotland, but next to none has made its way to the Far North. With the NC500 already seeing a spike in traffic, it is really crucial that the SNP finally delivers on its promise to improve road safety."

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “Scotland compares well with the road safety record of the rest of the UK and many other countries. This provides no comfort to the friends and family of those who have sadly lost their lives and we want to do more. Information on accidents is used to ensure action and investment is targeted to the areas that need it most.

“We remain committed to working with our road safety partners to deliver a co-ordinated approach to road safety to secure the ultimate vision established in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 and beyond, where no one is killed on our roads.”

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