Devastated Kilbirnie Mum wants cameras on road where son was killed

A devastated Kilbirnie mum insists her campaign to get speed cameras installed on the road where her son was killed will honour his memory.

Elizabeth Baxter lost her boy Johnny when he was involved in a two-car crash on the road between Kilbirnie and Largs on October 15th.

Two weeks on, grief-stricken Elizabeth’s online petition is calling for traffic calming measures on the stretch of the A760 that claimed 22-year-old Johnny’s life.

And, during an exclusive interview with Clyde 1 Ayrshire, she admits jumping into action so soon after the tragedy has been her way of coping with his death.

She said: “His last words were, ‘I love you; Mum and I’ll see you later.’

“I told him I loved him, but I didn’t know, that was going to be the last time I would ever see him.”

In his final hours, Johnny had called his mum to ask if she could help him out in his new home.

The pair spent the day together, with Elizabeth helping Johnny with his washing and other household chores before he took his weekly trip to Largs to get a haircut.

Later that evening, Elizabeth’s world changed forever, when a phone call told her Johnny’s car had been involved in an accident.

“And I just knew,” a tearful Elizabeth continued.

“I opened the door and it was the traffic police, and I just knew he was gone.

“They came in, that was the most horrific moment any mother or family should ever experience.”

The crash involved Johnny’s Honda Civic and a white Mercedes B class.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, with his friend and passenger, as well as the driver of the Mercedes taken to hospital for their injuries.

The road was closed for nine hours while police carried out investigations, and now Elizabeth has made it her mission to prevent this happening to another family.

She finished: “If, losing my son can bring out one good thing, stopping another family from going through this, it might just make it a wee bit more tolerable, knowing that he wasn’t taken away for nothing.”

Elizabeth’s petition has gathered over one thousand signatures.

Police Scotland say an introduction of speed cameras on the road is a local government matter.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the family after this tragic accident.

“Generally, physical speed reduction measures are not suitable for roads with a speed limit in excess of 30 mph, and the A760 between Kilbirnie and Largs has a 60mph speed limit.

“Safety cameras may be considered through the Police Scotland Safety Cameras Partnership which aims to reduce the number of people injured on roads through targeted camera enforcement and improving driver behaviour.

“Previous improvements to this route include the installation of cats eyes and replacement of anti-skid surfacing.

“A meeting is planned with Police Scotland to consider if further improvements may be helpful in reducing accidents on this route.”