Drivers urged to overtake safely when using A9

The A9 is Scotland's longest road

A new safety campaign aims to encourage motorists to carefully consider their overtaking manoeuvres on the A9.

The move is part of Scottish government efforts, which include plans for average speed cameras, to reduce accidents on Scotland's longest road.

More than 40% of fatal road accidents on single carriageway sections of the A9 involved overtaking.

Campaign group A9 Average Speed Cameras Are Not the Answer has been calling for action to tackle bad overtaking.

The A9 Safety Group, which has members from roads companies, transport bodies, councils and Police Scotland, has given its backing to the new government safety message.

An average of 142,000 vehicles use the A9 every day, according to the A9 Safety Group.

The 138-mile (222km) road runs from central Scotland to the far north.

The road from Inverness to Perth is due to be fully dual carriageway by 2025. The cost of the work is expected to run to £3bn.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "The issues faced on the A9 are complex and we are adopting a wide range of measures to address these ahead of dualling.

"We are focusing on the three strands of engineering, education and enforcement, and this campaign is the first in a series which will address driver behaviour and help people make better and more informed decisions when they are behind the wheel."

'Dangerous manoeuvres'

He added: "Road users tell us that they are concerned about the number of dangerous overtaking manoeuvres that they see on the route.

"The aim of this campaign is to give drivers the knowledge to overtake safely, without putting their lives or those of fellow road users at risk."

Later on Friday, the first in a series of public exhibitions will be held in Inverness to explain plans to improve safety on the A9.

The A9 Safety Group's other events will be held in Perth, Pitlochry and Aviemore.

Proposed improvements include seven average speed camera system zones, new safety barriers and better lighting on stretches of the road.