Scottish campaign puts emphasis on road safety

Driving in Scotland has risen in prominence thanks to the iconic North Coast 500 route, but it’s needed a new campaign to remind drivers of their responsibilities on the road.

In a bid to boost road safety after a startling rise in the number of collisions on Scottish roads, the campaign seeks to remind drivers to drive on the left.

This differs to most European countries and the campaign, developed by Road Safety Scotland and Police Scotland, in conjunction with the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, showcases why drivers need to stay safe.

Putting safety first

Visitors will be given wristbands to wear on their left wrist when hiring vehicles in Scotland to act as a constant reminder to drive safely.

According to Road Safety Scotland, around two-thirds of road accidents in the region in 2017 could be directly related to peoples’ inexperience of driving on the left-hand side of the road.

As a result, the wristbands feature the words ‘drive on the left’ in nine different languages, while there are other reading materials for car hire firms to hand out as well.

Applying the safety message elsewhere too

British drivers hiring a car in Europe this summer may also want to consider how to stay safe on the roads when they are driving overseas – where the role of driving on the left and right is reversed.

The campaign also warns drivers to take careful notice of road signs and to ensure that all information on them is understood and applied.

Drivers should read up on the road laws in the countries where they intend to drive and hire vehicles, as legislation varies from nation to nation.

Stay insured

If you intend to hire a vehicle when overseas, you should also ensure that you have adequate insurance in place.

Car hire excess insurance can provide an additional level of cover, by covering the excess you would need to pay should your vehicle be damaged or stolen.

This could amount to hundreds or even thousands of pounds, while the add-on insurance costs less than you may think – get a quote today to find out for yourself.

Date Created: 11/07/2019