Visitors to region reminded to drive on the left

THE Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched a campaign to reinforce the importance of driving on the left when visiting Dumfries and Galloway from overseas. Backed by Scottish businesses and organisations in the hospitality and tourism sectors, including National Trust for Scotland and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), the campaign reminds overseas tourists to drive safely and responsibly during their visit. Latest figures show there were 35 collisions caused by overseas drivers’ inexperience of driving on the left – a 46 per cent increase on the 24 collisions recorded in the previous year. With international travel to Scotland continuing to grow, the campaign reinforces the requirement to drive on the left and highlights other useful information about Scotland’s roads to help overseas drivers ensure the safety of themselves and other road users. Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland’s roads can present real challenges for overseas visitors. “With rural single-track routes, rapidly changing weather, unfamiliar road signs, and quiet stretches where drivers may lose concentration, it’s essential that visitors are aware of the need to drive on the left. “Our Drive on the Left campaign aims to equip overseas drivers with the information they need to drive safely, including tips on navigating single-track roads, passing places, roundabouts, and junctions. “We are urging all visitors who will be getting behind the wheel during their trip to ensure they travel safely by planning ahead, staying alert, taking regular breaks and knowing the rules of the road.” The campaign will see Drive on the Left wristbands, available in eight languages, be distributed to visitors via the hospitality sector and car rental companies along with Driving in Scotland leaflets offering practical advice about driving on Scotland’s roads. For more details and for advice about driving in Scotland, visit roadsafety.scot/driving-on-the-left.