A9 campaigner Murdo Fraser MSP is calling for faster speeds for HGVs on single carriageway roads – as he feels it will help road safety.
The Conservative politician, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife ward, has battled to have the entire stretch of the notorious road from Perth to Inverness dualled completely, after hitting out at its alarming fatality and accident rate.
He gave his backing to a campaign by Inverness-based driver Conor McKenna, which aims to increase the speed limit of HGVs from 40mph to 50mph on single carriageway roads in the UK.
It is hoped this would reduce accidents caused by frustrated drivers.
Mr Fraser said this campaign has ”particular resonance” for the A9, which has witnessed many accidents caused by frustrated drivers caught behind slow-moving HGVs on single carriageway portions of the road.
As a result, he has put forward a motion at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
”Back in July, I suggested increasing the speed limit for HGVs on the A9 in order to decrease the number of accidents caused by frustrated drivers,” he said.
”HGV drivers currently have two stark choices: comply with the speed limit and risk accidents or drive slightly faster and risk speeding fines and penalty points.
”In order to improve the safety of our roads, lawmakers must be fluid and flexible in their approach. On the face of it, increasing speed limits can only prove counterproductive in increasing road safety.
”However, in this instance the opposite applies.
”Hopefully, the Scottish Government will take notice of this very important campaign and support efforts aim to reduce accidents and fatalities,” he added.
”With resonance to my own constituency, hopefully this campaign can help reopen the debate on HGV speed limits on the A9.
”Driver frustration has been at the heart of many A9 accidents and this slight change in the speed limit could help offer a temporary solution before the road is duelled completely.”
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: ”We fully expect all road users to travel not just within the legal speed limit at all times but at the speed most appropriate for the road conditions.
”Road safety is a top priority for Transport Scotland and Ministers.
”While we currently have no plans to implement an increase in speed limits across Scotland’s roads, members of the A9 Safety Group have called for consideration of a trial of increased speed limits for HGVs on this particular route.
”Further information will be made available in the new year.
”We also await with interest the results of the HGV speed limit consultation in England and Wales.”