Racing star David Coulthard is urging drivers to slow down on country roads to reduce the number of fatal crashes.
The former Formula One driver is backing a road safety campaign by the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland, part of Transport Scotland.
It is thought to be the first time an ex-Formula One driver has fronted a road safety advert on national television.
Coulthard won 13 grands prix and came second in the Formula One drivers’ championship in 2001.
He said: “The main goal of this campaign is to ultimately reduce fatalities on country roads. Sadly too many people are killed in road accidents that could be avoided.
“I hope this campaign will reduce the eventuality of accidents on country roads and make sure it is something that doesn’t happen as frequently in the future as it unfortunately does today.”
Coulthard, from Twynholm in Kirkcudbrightshire, said he is backing the campaign because he did much of his early driving on rural roads in the south-west of Scotland.
Countryside driving “comes with its own unique set of challenges”, he said.
“Driving on country roads takes more than simply being aware of the basic Highway Code. Increased concentration and greater care is needed to adapt to the muddy tracks and changeable conditions, which make country roads particularly tricky.”
In the TV advert, Coulthard demonstrates to motorists that even the best drivers adjust their speed on country roads. The campaign will also feature on the radio, online and in cinema adverts, running throughout this month.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=u5Ikafg1Sk4%3Frel%3D0
Figures released last year show that road casualties are at a record low. A total of 12,763 injuries and deaths were recorded during 2011, 575 fewer than in the previous year. The number of deaths were down 22 to 186 and injury numbers were down 553 to 12,577.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “This innovative campaign can help get the message across that even the most qualified drivers in the world drive to the conditions on country roads.”