Vast majority of speeders caught on Thurso cameras are local drivers, say police
Temporary average speed cameras that detected zero offences during a trial period last year have detected a number of speeders in their first couple of months of operation this time round. But it is not visiting motorists blasting round the North Coast 500 who are to blame.
Police say that local drivers on the A836 between Reay and Thurso are responsible for the majority of speeding violations on the road. The national speed limit on the busy north coast road is 60mph for cars and 50mph for vans or those with trailers or caravans.
Police Scotland's North Safety Camera Unit is now urging motorists to slow down and abide by the rules, and say no decision has been made as to when the cameras will cease to operate - although it is expected to be in the autumn. The unit described last year's trial[1] as a success, despite nobody being caught and criticism emerging over the placement of the cameras[2]. However, overall average speeds on the stretch of road reduced during the period.
Julie Smith, area communications officer for Police Scotland's North Safety Camera Unit, said: "The average speed cameras have now been in place for nearly two months and although I can't provide specific details of offences, I can confirm that the majority of motorists detected have been local to the area.
Picture: Alan Hendry
"All vehicles are registered to Highland addresses with the vast majority in the local area, so we would like to take this opportunity to remind locals of the speed limit of the road, for all vehicle types including vans which are permitted to travel 10mph less than cars. "We aim to remind motorists of their limits, where appropriate slow vehicles down, and in turn help make our roads safer for all users."
Campaigners have long pushed for improvements to the A836[3], particularly along the Forss straight, and a Forss Action Group was set up which wants to see other road safety measures and a reduced speed limit introduced in the village. Iain Gregory, of Caithness Roads Recovery, explained: "In 2021, the Forss Action Group sought the implementation of a number of road safety measures, including the installation of (preferably) a 40mph limit through the village of Forss, and failing that, a 50mph limit, along with double white lines, and other traffic calming measures, to protect not only the residents of the village, but all road users on this very busy stretch of the A836.
"Considerable support was given to us by then Dounreay director Mark Rouse and his staff, and indeed some traffic-calming measures were subsequently put in place by Highland Council. Unfortunately, neither the desired speed limit nor indeed double white lines came into being.
"We are aware that average speed cameras were installed in 2024, covering an area from Thurso to Reay, and thus including the Forss straight, and - as far as we are aware - no offences were detected in that year.
"It is interesting to hear that this year a number of offences have reportedly been detected in the area, and we would reiterate the message to all road users that this is a particularly busy part of the A836, with homes and businesses located along the route, and we would call upon all drivers to adhere to the posted limits, and to consider the safety of themselves and others at all times - not just in areas where speed detection equipment is in place." The average speed cameras were installed on the A836 in partnership with the Scottish Safety Camera Programme and Highland Council.
Monthly speed surveys are also being carried out to monitor vehicle speeds and traffic volumes.
Eric Dunion, North Safety Camera Unit manager, said at the launch of this year's trial[4]: "Whilst this location would not normally meet the criteria to become a permanent location, the short-term deployment scheme gives us the flexibility to be at locations where we believe there will be a change in traffic behaviour.
"It is hoped this extension of last year's trial will again result in speed limit compliance by all types of vehicles and help to meet our aim of making our roads safer for all users."
References
- ^ last year's trial (www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk)
- ^ criticism emerging over the placement of the cameras (www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk)
- ^ pushed for improvements to the A836 (www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk)
- ^ the launch of this year's trial (www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk)