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A9 Dualling: Deadly Single Carriageways Sections

A parliamentary answer to MSP Murdo Fraser has revealed that the number of fatal accidents on single carriageway sections of the A9 is almost four times higher than the number of fatal accidents on dual carriageway sections.

Parliamentary answers show that there have been 19 fatal accidents on single carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness in between 2003 and 2007.  In comparison, there have been 5 fatal accidents on dual carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness.

Furthermore, there have been 50 serious but non-fatal accidents on single carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness in the same period, compared to 10 serious but non-fatal accidents on dual carriageway sections.

The figures make it clear that the single carriageway sections of the A9 are causing more fatal and serious accidents than dual carriageway sections.  The MSP believes that this is the latest evidence that highlights the urgent need to dual the whole of A9 between Perth and Inverness in order to reduce fatalities on the road.

ScotGov Commitment Needed

Commenting on the statistics, he said: “Road-users of the A9 know that this road is already claiming too many lives, with the A9 having the highest fatality rate of all roads in Scotland.  It is now clear that the single carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness are claiming almost four times more lives than the dual carriageway sections of the A9.  

 “I accept that dualling the A9 will not end accidents on the road but it is clear that dualling this road will greatly reduce the number of accidents and save lives.  That is why we must see the Scottish Government give a firm commitment to dualling the A9 and put in place the funds required instead of dragging its feet.

“The major problems with the A9 between Perth and Inverness are the long and dangerous stretches of single carriageway and the fact that the road continually switches between single and dual carriageway.  If the A9 is dualled in its entirety then both of these problems will be eradicated and I am sure that we will see a reduction in the number of fatalities.