Speeding causes 1 in 5 road deaths in Scotland, police reveal

The Scottish Government has introduced a road safety campaign to tackle the one in five road deaths in the country caused by speeding.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, of Police Scotland, launched the scheme at Traffic Scotland's national control centre.

It follows a joint report from Traffic Scotland and Police Scotland which found 20% of road deaths in Scotland were due to speeding, examining collisions between 2015-2020.

Transport Scotland data indicated 44% of reported casualties on Scottish roads were on rural roads, with 74% of all road deaths taking place on them.

'You only have to lose control once'

The campaign will run across all digital platforms, including TV, radio and online.

The campaign's message, "you only have to lose control once", is shown in the form of a video which highlights the split-second moment before a collision, shown from the driver's perspective.

Ms Hyslop said: "No matter how experienced you are as a driver, collisions can happen to anyone, and the consequences could be devastating - for you, for other road users, and for loved ones.

"We're urging drivers to consider their driving behaviour and reduce their speed, making our roads safer for everyone."

'Speeding is always a risk'

There are more than 300 safety camera locations across Scotland and the Scottish Government said they are placed where there is evidence of injury collisions and speeding and where they have the greatest potential to reduce casualties.

Ms Sloan, head of road policing, said: "Speeding is always a risk.

"It only takes a split second to lose control and it only has to happen once.

"A collision affects more than just you and your vehicle - it impacts your family, the victim's family, emergency services and people who witness it.

"Everyone has to take responsibility to save lives on Scotland's roads."

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