Police urge drivers to take extra care after spate of deaths on Scotland’s roads

A senior police officer has issued a special appeal to drivers to take extra care on the road after eight people people died in crashes over the weekend.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan made a statement to the media on Monday urging people to consider their behaviour while out driving and show other road users more consideration.

The appeal came after four people died in motorcycle crashes, three people died in one car crash, a eighth person died in a different car crash and a ninth sustained serious injuries in another motorcycle crash.

Three men died in a crash involving a white Ford Focus on Moss Road near Dunmore, Falkirk, at about 6.15pm on Friday evening.

Three male passengers, aged 21, 23 and 24, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A female driver, 20, was taken to Forth Valley Hospital for treatment.

On Sunday, a 29-year-old man, a 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman died at the scene of a crash in the Scottish Borders.

The incident, involving two motorbikes, a Suzuki GSXR and a Kawasaki ZX1400, happened at about 2.30pm on the A6088.

Separately a 29-year-old woman died in a motorcycle crash in Argyll and Bute the same day.

The crash happened on the A83 at the Kilmory Roundabout in Lochgilphead at about 2.45pm.

The woman, who had been riding a white Ducati motorcycle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

She had been riding with three other motorcyclists.

Earlier during the weekend, an eighth person died in a car crash in South Ayrshire understood to have happened at about 7.30pm on Saturday.

A 37-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash involving a Land Rover Defender on the B7035 Girvan to Dailly Road in Girvan.

Lastly, a 49-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after another crash in the Highlands.

The incident happened on the A939 near Grantown-on-Spey at about 4.05pm on Saturday.

It is understood a red Vauxhall Corsa and a red and black Ducati Multistrada motorbike collided at the Grantown-on-Spey to Nairn road at the A940 junction at Loch Allan.

Ms Sloan told reporters on Monday: “This weekend, we have seen a high number of fatalities on Scotland’s roads.

“Each of these deaths is tragic and our thoughts are with those affected.

“There have also been a number of serious collisions.

“Our officers are carrying out inquiries into each of these crashes.

“We work tirelessly to fully investigate every serious and fatal road collision and provide support to the families of the victims.

“Road policing remains a priority for Police Scotland and we will continue to work very closely with a range of partners to improve road safety for all users.

“A collision affects more than just you and your car. It impacts on your family, the victim’s family, emergency services and people who witness it.

“I urge every driver and road user to think about their behaviour on the road, be considerate towards others and help us make Scotland’s roads safe for everyone.

“We all have a responsibility to use our roads safely and to help us save lives.”