Scottish rugby player Stuart Hogg backs new government campaign highlighting devastating consequences of driving too fast on country roads
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THE devastating consequences of driving too fast on country roads is highlighted in a new campaign from the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland which urges drivers to watch their speed and help to save lives.
Country roads account for more than half of all fatal accidents on Scotland's roads.
Last year alone, 649 people were killed or seriously injured while driving on country roads and more than two-thirds of those were men.
The powerful campaign targets young male drivers aged 22 to 40, who have a higher risk of being involved in a crash.
An emotional TV advert follows a fictional character losing control of his car – and losing his life – on a country road with the strapline: "Don't miss what's round the corner. Watch your speed on country roads".
Poignant interview footage with members of the emergency services will also feature in the campaign, as they open up about how the tragedies on Scotland's country roads affect their lives too.
The footage will encourage people to rethink their driving behaviour and emphasise the massive impact every life lost has on so many people.
Scotland rugby player Stuart Hogg is supporting the campaign as he lost his best friend, Richard Wilkinson, in a crash on a country road.
Stuart said: "The loss of Richard had a massive impact on my life and he's missed out on so many things. I'm now a dad and play rugby for Scotland and I know he would be proud of me.
"I just can't help wishing he was around to share these moments.
"The country roads campaign is so important to me personally and I hope that by speaking about my experience, it will help to save other young lives and also honour Richard's memory."
Minister for Transport and Islands, Humza Yousaf, said: "We are committed to achieving safer road travel in Scotland and while we have seen a 16 per cent decline in fatalities on country roads in the last year, every life lost is one too many.
"The campaign shows the true consequences of driving at an inappropriate speed on country roads. You just don't know what is round the corner, and motorists need to realise they aren't invincible and that it could happen to them.
"We want every driver in Scotland, particularly young men, to take note and to encourage them to drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions."
Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston of Police Scotland said: "Loss of control is the biggest cause of deaths on country roads, and this is often a result of driving too fast for the conditions and leaving too little time to react to unpredictable road conditions and hazards.
"We are urging drivers to take extra care on country roads, including those that they travel on frequently as you can never be sure what's round the corner.
"We hope this new campaign will contribute to a reduction of deaths on Scotland's roads."
For more information log on to dontriskit.info or check out the Road Safety Scotland Facebook and Twitter (@roadsafetyscot) pages. The ad is available to view at https://youtu.be/yJtTgTWUtQY
