Aberdeen drivers are being called upon to reduce their speed as a new campaign highlights the critical link between excessive velocity and the number and severity of road collisions. The initiative, launched by the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland, aims to enhance road safety across the region and the wider country.
The campaign underscores the significant impact of speeding on road fatalities, revealing that it contributes to 21% of all deaths on Scotland’s roads. Emphasising that even minor speed reductions can yield substantial safety improvements, research indicates that fatal collisions involving drivers travelling at 65mph could see a 47% reduction if speeds were lowered by just 5mph. This finding highlights the disproportionate increase in risk associated with higher speeds.
Recent figures for Aberdeen reveal a concerning trend, with 85 fatalities or casualties recorded on the city’s roads in 2024. The campaign also draws attention to the particular dangers of non-built-up roads. Despite accounting for 42 per cent of reported casualties on Scotland’s roads, these rural routes are the location for almost two-thirds (65%) of road deaths, largely due to the higher speeds typically maintained by drivers.
Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, reiterated the widespread risk of road incidents:
“No matter how experienced you are as a driver, collisions can happen to anyone. We know that speeding makes collisions more likely and more serious, and no-one should die or be seriously-injured on our roads. You only have to lose control once, and the consequences can be devastating. We’re urging drivers to make our roads safer for everyone by reducing their speed.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has also lent its support to the campaign, with Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour stressing the profound consequences of speeding:
“Driving at speed not only places the driver and any passengers at risk, but everyone else on the road, particularly pedestrians and cyclists. Sadly, many of our crews have responded to road traffic collisions and they witness the devastating aftermath. We always urge drivers to stick to speed limits and to drive to road and weather conditions to help keep themselves and others safe.”
In Case You Missed it:
The campaign is being disseminated across a range of media, including television, cinema, radio, and digital platforms, featuring a thought-provoking television advertisement that portrays the split-second before a collision from a driver’s perspective.
Further information on the campaign is accessible via roadsafety.scot.
