LISTEN: Row Over A9 Speed Camera Figures

New figures on the performance of the A9 average speed cameras have failed to stop a row about the system.

298 drivers have been caught speeding since the scheme went live in October.

That's the equivalent of 4 motorists every day the scheme has been operational.

Overall speeding is down from around 1 in 3 drivers to 1 in 20.

There's been a larged reduction in incidents of excessive speeding - 10 mph+ above limit - which are down 97%.

However, there's also been an increase in journey times along the route from Inverness to Dunblane.

The chair of the A9 Safety Group, Transport Scotland’s Stewart Leggett, said: “It is very encouraging to see the improved driver behaviour following the introduction of the average speed cameras and HGV speed limit pilot, ahead of the dualling.

"Drivers are clearly paying heed and moderating their speed, and we welcome this positive contribution to road safety on the A9.

“All the early findings on speed, journey time and journey time reliability are in line with our predictions, while traffic volumes on the A9 are remaining higher than in 2013, with no evidence of drivers diverting onto other routes.

"The low number of drivers being detected by the cameras and the speed profiles from along the route indicates the early effectiveness of the cameras in improving behaviour; but the A9 would be safer still if every driver observed the limits.

"We don’t want drivers facing fines and the cameras have never been an alternative to dualling.”

“We will continue to monitor the road safety performance of the A9 and share our findings on the A9 Safety Group website.

"Speeding is only one behaviour and the Group will be running further education campaigns on safer overtaking and working with freight and haulage industry to address tailgating and elephant racing.

“Over the next two years we are committed to spending a further £18 million on maintenance of the A9 to support even more safety improvements. This is additional investment, over and above the investment plans to dual the A9.”

MFR Reporter Derek Ferguson speaks to head of A9 Safety Group Stewart Legget...

Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland said: "This is an encouraging start.

"In the first three months of operation we have seen a more than eight-fold decrease in the number of people caught speeding on this stretch of road compared with the same time last year when there were 2,493 offences recorded.

"It is clear that the cameras are changing driver behaviour in the way that we expected.

"This will undoubtedly help to make the A9 safer for all road users.

"Speeding is not the sole cause of collisions on the route and we shall continue to engage positively with those who put themselves and others in danger through risky or illegal driving behaviour.

"Safety remains the responsibility of all road users and it is important that we interact appropriately with each other on the A9, and all of the other roads in Scotland.”

However, despite fewer numbers of speeding drivers, road incidents have increased.

This has been seized upon by critics of the scheme.

Mike Burns said: "We now have official confirmation, lower speeds which were already below the Average Speed before any cameras were even constructed, more reported accidents, significantly increased journey times and no credible like for like Average Speed Data.

"The A9 Safety Group Quango has reversed a general downward trend which was apparent in the firsat half of 2014 with their A9 ASCS Folly and as such, the quango must now be disbanded immediately.

"Stewart legget must now also cosnider his position as he single handledly rail roaded this proposal past parliament and the buck stops with him for increasing accidents, journey times and the associated cost to the Highland Economy.

"All before the traffic volume increases during the busy tourist season."

MFR Reporter Derek Ferguson speaks with campaigner Mike Burns...