Local community council chairman David Fraser believes a reduction in the speed limit could cut the loss of life on the road between Inverness and Fort William, which has now seen five fatal accidents in less than 12 months.

“We would call on the appropriate authorities to implement short-term safety improvements as a matter of urgency,” said Mr Fraser, of Glenurquhart Community Council. “We then need an action plan and investment to achieve long-term improvements to this road.”

The latest victim was named yesterday as 24-year-old Annemarie Elisabeth Van Herwijnen of Groningen in the Netherlands, who was a passenger in a Citroen car which collided with a Vauxhall Vectra just north of the Clansman Hotel at 11.40am on Saturday. She is believed to have been visiting her boyfriend, who is working in Scotland.

The 27-year-old male driver of the Citroen and the driver of the Vauxhall, a 64-year-old man, were taken to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, with minor injuries but later released.

Firefighters from Inverness and Drumnadrochit used hydraulic equipment to cut the victim from the wreckage while doctors and paramedics gave her emergency treatment, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed for five hours as police attempted to determine the cause of the crash. It is understood an individual could be charged.

The accident occurred close to where 21-year-old Colin Wood of Abriachan was killed when his BMW smashed into a milk delivery lorry in December.

Mr Fraser was disappointed that there was little mention of improvements to the A82 in the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership’s strategic plan, which is currently out for consultation.

“The community council has long been concerned about the accident rate on the A82, the road does not seem to be fit for the traffic it now has to carry,” he said.

“The mix of tourist traffic, heavy lorries, frustrated drivers, sharp corners, deer and surface water is creating a very dangerous situation which all too often results in tragedy.”

Highland councillor Margaret Davidson (Loch Ness West) also felt the A82 should be given a higher priority and called for more overtaking lanes and laybys.

HiTrans’ strategy suggests looking at long-term improvements to the A82 between Glasgow and Inverness over the next 16 years but makes no mention of specific changes.

Dave Petrie, Conservative list MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has long campaigned for improvements to the road and yesterday criticised the Scottish Executive for its lack of action.

“It is the main road up to the Highlands between Glasgow and Inverness and it needs massive investment,” he said.

He claimed the road was not being properly maintained, did not have adequate drainage, was too narrow in places and that signposts were often obscured by overgrown vegetation.

However, Fergus Ewing, SNP MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, believed drivers had to take more responsibility.

“Two thirds of accidents are caused by driver error and more needs to be done to provide better education and training to young drivers who are involved in a great many fatal accidents,” he said.

He hoped to raise the issue of training and education at First Minister’s Question Time this week.

“The carnage on our roads is of a level which is surely far too high,” he added.

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