In the years following the pandemic, the A9 between Perth and Inverness saw a troubling rise in fatal and serious collisions. In response, Transport Scotland established the A9 Partnership Safety Group, bringing together key partners including BEAR Scotland, WJ, and Clearview Intelligence to deliver targeted improvements on this vital route.

Together, we developed and implemented a range of measures aimed at reducing collisions caused by fatigue and unfamiliarity with the road until full dualling is completed by 2035:

• Over 126km of high-performance Weatherline+ road markings

• 8,000 Clearview SolarLite road studs for enhanced visibility

• High-friction surfacing (HFS) and new signage installed to deter dangerous overtaking

• 310 two-way traffic signs and directional arrow markings at 1-mile intervals to encourage driving in the correct lane

• Multilingual variable message signs (VMS) displaying safety messages such as “Drive on the left” and “Don’t drive tired”

In the first year of the scheme, the number of fatal and serious collisions was reduced by 50%.

The A9 Safety Improvement Scheme highlights the power of collaborative working across the highways sector. By combining innovative technology, expert delivery, and clear safety messaging, the project has already delivered life-saving outcomes for road users.