16/06/2024
If you’re visiting or planning to visit the Highlands and Islands, you’re probably coming to see the stunning landscapes and the popular driving routes through them. Many of the roads are narrow, winding, and technical. There are lots of unpredictable hazards on rural roads and the changeable weather conditions and high volumes of traffic can make driving particularly challenging. You need to be careful, considerate, safe and competent to drive on these roads and you will be expected to know and drive to the Scotland's road safety standards, rules and laws.
Unfortunately, we see a disproportionately high number of serious and fatal road traffic collisions on Scotland’s rural roads, particularly around the summer season.
• 62% of all deaths on Scotland’s roads happen in the countryside.
• Over 700 people were killed or seriously injured on country roads in 2020.
These collisions have a devastating effect on those involved and their families as well as an enormous impact on the local communities and road network. Most of these collisions are avoidable.
Here’s some essential advice to stay safe with links to this advice in different languages:
• Drive on the left, if you normally drive on the right, always be vigilant and take particular care when setting off and negotiating junctions – put something on your wrist or dashboard to remind you
• Plan your journey - Take regular breaks and only undertake reasonable and manageable journeys – fatigue is a significant factor in fatal collisions – check traffic and weather conditions https://orlo.uk/HUn1d
• Look out for vulnerable road users - motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders are particularly vulnerable and make up a significant proportion of those injured or killed
• Don’t drink alcohol or take drugs and drive
• Don’t use your mobile phone when driving
• Speed limits are in ‘mph’, drive at a speed that is safe for the road, weather and traffic conditions
• Find safe places to stop off the road, don’t stop on the road to look at views or take pictures
• If a queue builds up behind you on any two-way carriageway or single-track road, use passing places and laybys as frequently as necessary to allow others to pass
Most importantly, if you are not confident driving on technical rural roads, then there is many other great ways to travel round the Highlands and Islands.
Website - https://orlo.uk/fvkKs
European Visitor Leaflet https://orlo.uk/DIj31
Rest of World Visitor Leaflet - https://orlo.uk/mRWaF
Guidance videos:
English - https://orlo.uk/ggDka
German - https://orlo.uk/7tIA1
Dutch - https://orlo.uk/52MY6
Italian - https://orlo.uk/FfHcB
Spanish - https://orlo.uk/b8SGL
French - https://orlo.uk/NrlFp
Chinese - https://orlo.uk/Q2VKf
Hindi - https://orlo.uk/q9hlZ
Japanese - https://orlo.uk/FZ3EZ
Along with our partners we want visitors and residents to be able to use and enjoy the roads safely. Please be responsible.
VisitCairngorms
Venture North
Cairngorms National Park
Traffic Scotland
North Coast 500
HIE
VisitScotland
Road Safety Scotland
The Highland Council
