Shock at county’s roads death toll
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ALMOST half of all road deaths in the Highlands and Islands this year have taken place in Caithness.
The shocking statistic comes after the latest incident in which cyclist Elaine Dunne (30), from Leicester, was killed after being hit by a car near Auckengill on Wednesday morning.
Northern Constabulary said that fatality is the 16th in the force area this year and the seventh road death to take place in Caithness.
The county’s total also contributes to the majority of deaths which have occurred in the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross area, which has so far totalled nine in 2011.
Police say that the high number in the Far North is causing them great concern and area Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss admitted that the figure is a worry.
"Even when you are dealing with a small population, you can get a blip," he said yesterday.
"It is true that the amount of road deaths in Caithness is a large percentage compared to the rest of the Highlands."
He added: "Every accident is vigorously investigated by our road policing unit based in Dingwall. We have on average four to six traffic officers who attend every life-threatening accident and carry out a thorough inquiry.
"Usually after investigations by local officers we can always be fairly sure of the cause of accidents."
"Over the year, the principal causes of road accidents have been either excessive speed, drink-driving or failure to wear a seat belt.
"However, the police cannot comment if this is so in individual cases and in some cases the causes of road deaths have been purely accidental."
Northern Constabulary has been in regular contact with the public about road safety in the county and increased patrols have been carried out in Castletown, Spittal and the outskirts of Thurso where a number of accidents have occurred in the past.
Police are also working closely with Highland Council on the implementation of electronic speed signs. In collaboration with the local authority they have also seen speed bumps being placed at the Riverside at Thurso and opposite the Norseman Hotel in Wick, which police say are having an effect.
Ch Insp Reiss says they also target boy racers, using marked and unmarked cars, to educate them about sensible driving.
"This is done on the simple fact that we get complaints about their activities," he said. "Statistics show that young men are at the highest risk group of being involved in a fatal road accident.
"We also run several initiatives at schools across the region to promote road safety.
"This has included every S6 pupil in the county taking part in the Driving Ambition scheme which aims to educate teenagers about the responsibility of being behind the wheel."
Ch Insp Reiss stressed that the causes of road accidents are wide-ranging but he urged motorists to be very aware of conditions, especially as the winter approaches.
"Caithness has a number of long, straight, tight roads," he said. "While there is usually good visibility, there can be hazards such as vehicles pulling out of side roads and fields.
"We are now approaching the time of year when black ice will become an issue. We urge motorists to take precautions and to check that their tyres are suitable for travelling on such conditions.
"Also simple things like checking that wipers and the windscreen are clean can help save lives.
"The public should be assured that Northern Constabulary rates road safety as one of our highest priorities. We will do all we can to make sure that motorists stay safe and accidents do not happen in the future."
