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| A9 average speed cameras switched on | A9 average speed cameras switched on |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A network of average speed cameras on the A9 between Inverness and Dunblane have been switched on. | |
| The cameras have been installed at 27 sites on the notorious road at a cost of £2.5m. | The cameras have been installed at 27 sites on the notorious road at a cost of £2.5m. |
| The speed limit for HGVs using the A9 has also been raised from 40mph to 50mph as a pilot project. | The speed limit for HGVs using the A9 has also been raised from 40mph to 50mph as a pilot project. |
| Transport Minister Keith Brown said both measures would save lives on the road, which is seen as being one of the most dangerous in the country. | Transport Minister Keith Brown said both measures would save lives on the road, which is seen as being one of the most dangerous in the country. |
| It is hoped raising the speed limit for HGVs will reduce driver frustration caused by slower vehicles on the busy road, which is the main route between central Scotland and the Highlands. | It is hoped raising the speed limit for HGVs will reduce driver frustration caused by slower vehicles on the busy road, which is the main route between central Scotland and the Highlands. |
| Fatal and serious accidents on the single carriageway between Perth and Inverness are significantly higher than the national average. | Fatal and serious accidents on the single carriageway between Perth and Inverness are significantly higher than the national average. |
| 'Reductions in fatalities' | 'Reductions in fatalities' |
| Work on the new camera system, which got under way in May, saw columns, cameras and infra-red lighting masts erected on the single carriageway sections. | Work on the new camera system, which got under way in May, saw columns, cameras and infra-red lighting masts erected on the single carriageway sections. |
| Earlier this year, figures suggested that the presence of the newly-installed cameras was already cutting drivers' speed - even though they had not yet been switched on. | Earlier this year, figures suggested that the presence of the newly-installed cameras was already cutting drivers' speed - even though they had not yet been switched on. |
| Mr Brown said action would be taken against anyone caught breaking the speed limit by the cameras. | Mr Brown said action would be taken against anyone caught breaking the speed limit by the cameras. |
| He added: "First and foremost they will make that road safer. All the evidence we have had from other sites show reductions in fatalities. Surely everyone should welcome that." | He added: "First and foremost they will make that road safer. All the evidence we have had from other sites show reductions in fatalities. Surely everyone should welcome that." |
| Environmental group WWF Scotland has called for average speed camera schemes to be introduced on more of the country's roads and motorways "to help save lives and cut pollution". | Environmental group WWF Scotland has called for average speed camera schemes to be introduced on more of the country's roads and motorways "to help save lives and cut pollution". |
| Dangerous overtaking | Dangerous overtaking |
| Climate and energy policy officer Gina Hanrahan said: "Alongside the clear safety benefits, enforcing speed limits on trunk roads using average speed cameras and other tools is an effective and cost effective way to reduce climate emissions as well as fuel costs for motorists. | Climate and energy policy officer Gina Hanrahan said: "Alongside the clear safety benefits, enforcing speed limits on trunk roads using average speed cameras and other tools is an effective and cost effective way to reduce climate emissions as well as fuel costs for motorists. |
| "To reduce health-threatening levels of air pollution and meet our climate targets, the use of average speed cameras and other approaches to help reduce excessive speeds should be seriously considered on other major roads across Scotland." | "To reduce health-threatening levels of air pollution and meet our climate targets, the use of average speed cameras and other approaches to help reduce excessive speeds should be seriously considered on other major roads across Scotland." |
| But the camera system has been opposed by campaign group A9 Average Speed Cameras Are Not the Answer, which has called for action to tackle dangerous overtaking on the road. | But the camera system has been opposed by campaign group A9 Average Speed Cameras Are Not the Answer, which has called for action to tackle dangerous overtaking on the road. |
| The installation of the cameras comes as the Scottish government moves forward with its plan to make the route a dual carriageway for its entire length. | The installation of the cameras comes as the Scottish government moves forward with its plan to make the route a dual carriageway for its entire length. |
| The £3bn project involves the upgrade of 80 miles of single carriageway along the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025. | The £3bn project involves the upgrade of 80 miles of single carriageway along the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025. |