Pressure is mounting on a Government minister to “accept evidence” that average speed cameras used on the notorious A9 will make the road safer.
Figures released by the police show since camera installation began last month, the number of motorists breaking the speed limit between Perth and Pitlochry has fallen from one in three to one in 10.
Danny Alexander, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, is a staunch opponent of the cameras but his critics said the new figures should change his mind.
Engineers will test the new camera system before it goes live in October.
The Scottish Government plans to dual the entire stretch of the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025, costing around £3 billion.
Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, welcomed the announcement that the average speed cameras are “already delivering results” and urged Mr Alexander to embrace the road safety message.
“Speed cameras work and make our roads safer for everyone who uses them,” he said.
“With this new evidence, even the most ardent critics of speed cameras on the A9 will have to accept that they get results.
“Mr Alexander’s dangerous message on road safety has been shown to be totally out of line.
“He must now stop his political posturing on this issue he should accept the evidence.”
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “Average speed cameras encourage drivers to improve their behaviour and we are already seeing this on the A9.
“The pilot will introduce a level playing field for businesses, which we expect will also benefit from less disruption caused by fatal and serious accidents.”
Superintendent Iain Murray, head of road policing for Police Scotland, said: “This is an early indication that drivers are already moderating their behaviour. This can only improve safety on the route and I would encourage all drivers to follow this example.”
However, Mr Alexander accused the Scottish Government of “ploughing on with the cameras.”
“We should not be shy about voicing our opinion as the speed cameras creep north up the A9,” he said. “People who want the A9 to be safer but have sincerely held concerns about the use of average speed cameras deserve to be listened to, not vilified.”
He added he has set up the Highland Infrastructure Forum on A9 average speed cameras, with the first meeting taking place in the next few weeks.