Plans costing around £3.4 million to install speed cameras on the A9 have gained the support of a road safety group, which claims their introduction will “reduce casualties.”
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) said that despite initial reticence to embrace the proposal, it now finds it difficult to see why motorists would oppose the move.
It is understood there will be seven average speed camera zones created on the A9 north of Perth on single carriageway sections.
South of Perth, it is expected that 14 camera locations will be set up to “address” the high severity turning accidents at cross-over junctions.
The speed cameras should be installed later this year.
In a letter to Holyrood’s public petitions committee, Neil Greig, IAM’s director of policy and research, explained why the road safety organisation is backing the plan.
“The IAM accept that average speed cameras will reduce casualties, which must be the ultimate goal,” he said.
“If they perform as expected, they will do this without adding to journey times or driver frustration.”
He continued: “Initially the IAM did have some concerns around the installation of average speed cameras over such a long length of mixed dual and single carriageway roads. However, there is now a compelling case for them.”
A public exhibition on A9 safety measures was held at Pitlochry Festival Theatre on Tuesday.