‘Real concern’ as top speed recorded in Tayside in last year revealed

A road safety campaigner has expressed his “real concern” after the top speed recorded by police in Tayside over the last year was revealed.

Drivers have been clocked travelling at nearly double the speed limit on the region’s main road.

Figures obtained through freedom of information showed the top 20 speeds recorded in Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross over the last 12 months.

Six drivers hit 120mph or more

Six drivers were caught going at 120mph or above – with the highest speed of 133mph recorded in September on the A90.

A further 11 drivers were caught speeding at 115mph or more – the majority on the A90 – and the other three were clocked driving above 110mph.

The figures follow concerns about safety on routes like the A9 through Perthshire – where there has been an increase in fatal incidents in 2022.

Meanwhile in Fife, drivers have been caught driving at speeds of up to 91mph.

Nick Simmons, CEO of the road safety charity RoadPeace – which supports road crash victims in the UK – told The Courier: “Speeding is always unacceptable and the figures reported in the Tayside are of real concern.

“As the national charity supporting road crash victims, our members know only too well the devastating impact that crashes have and speed is far too often a contributory factor.”

Liam Kerr, North East MSP for the Scottish Conservatives, said: “It’s appalling to see drivers flouting the law by using the A90 as a racetrack and reaching speeds of 131mph.

“There is no doubt average speed cameras have had a calming effect on the majority of traffic on the A90 but it’s clear speeding is still prevalent on the road.”

Chief Inspector Andrew Gibb from Police Scotland said: “Travelling at inappropriate speeds is proven to be a significant factor in fatal and serious injury collisions.

‘We need motorists to recognise the dangers of speeding’

“This can be avoided if motorists take road safety seriously by paying attention to speed limits and the prevailing road, weather and traffic conditions.

“Police Scotland is committed to improving road safety and continues to work with a variety of partners, however we need motorists to recognise the dangers of speeding and the need to obey speed limits at all times.

“Our officers interact with drivers on a daily basis using education where appropriate, but where necessary enforcement action will be taken by both our safety camera units and uniformed officers.”