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March 12, 2005
Callander's A84
According to an AA Motoring Trust report, the the 44-kilometre A84 from Stirling to Lochearnhead, via Callander, is one of Britain’s five most dangerous roads, and the worst in Scotland (except for two much shorter roads, the A889 near Dalwhinnie and the A99 at Wick).
During 1998-2000 there were 38 fatal or serious collisions, with a further 29 during 2001-03. The most common form of collisions was head-on (45 per cent) followed by run-offs (17 per cent), junction collisions (14 per cent), or accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists (14 per cent).
Where are the accident danger spots? As far as I know none are marked, although I am not used to driving the whole length of the road. If this were France, there would be black and red accident victim silhouettes erected beside the road showing where fatal accidents had occurred. That would be a bit offputting for the tourists, but it would be good to know where the dangers are. Perhaps we also need a special speed limit?
Detailed maps available at the AA Motoring Trust show where Scotland’s other dangerous roads are located. Looking at the map of Britain as a whole, the roads in southern England appear to be the safest.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4329455.stm
www.aatrust.com/aamotoringtrust/roadsafetypdfs.cfm
Posted by Simon Holledge at March 12, 2005 12:12 AM
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Comments
In southern England there are so many vehicles that you would often find it hard to reach a speed sufficient to kill yourself and others. In Scotland, esp rural, there is often a false sense of freedom when city dwellers hit empty roads. Off they dash, as though in some romantic car ad: 60, 70, 80, 85... whoops, hospital/morgue. An argument in favour of road congestion perhaps?
Posted by: Stuart Dickson at March 12, 2005 06:20 AM
The locals also seem to drive pretty fast around here, though I am sure you are right about the false sense of freedom etc.
In the south, the fast roads are motorways (or at least dual-carriageway) and the detailed information provided by the AA Motoring Trust shows that these are relatively safe - both in England and Scotland. It's the A roads which are dangerous.
Posted by: Simon Holledge at March 12, 2005 07:16 PM