Call for road improvements as deaths remain at their highest level
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Road deaths in the north-east remain at the highest level in four years as 17 people were killed on routes across the region in 2022.
MSP Alexander Burnett has urged the Scottish Government to prioritise upgrading roads in Aberdeenshire such as the A96 after 12 people died in the area while four were killed in Moray and one in Aberdeen.
The annual figures from Transport Scotland, which have just been published, show deaths on north-east roads are the third highest in Scotland and are above the 2018-22 average. They also remain higher than four years ago when 15 people died.
The transport body’s statistics also show 368 people were injured in collisions across the region which included 237 in Aberdeenshire, 82 in Aberdeen and 49 in Moray.
Mr Burnett, the MSP for Aberdeenshire West, said the figures were “harrowing” and “heartbreaking” for families who had lost loved ones.
The Scottish Conservative continues to campaign for various road and junction improvements on the A96, including the Colpy junction between Pitmachie and Huntly and the junction between Huntly Tesco and the A920 to Dufftown.
Mr Burnett said: “These figures are harrowing and my thoughts go to the families who have tragically lost loved ones on roads in the north-east.
“One death is one too many and it’s clear Aberdeenshire’s roads are not fit for purpose.
“Instead of focussing on 20mph zones in every settlement, the Scottish Government must look at prioritising the north east’s trunk road network rather than only caring about the Central Belt.
“That will only increase the risk of further collisions on our main roads, which have been badly neglected while the budgets of councils are being cut year after year by SNP ministers."
