Overseas visitors are being reminded to drive on the left as Scotland prepares for another busy tourism season, with growing international interest placing renewed focus on road safety.
The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have relaunched their Drive on the Left campaign, encouraging tourism and hospitality businesses to help remind visitors from overseas about the differences they may encounter when driving on Scotland’s roads.
The campaign comes after Google Trends data revealed worldwide searches for holidays in Scotland doubled in the months before, during and after Scotland’s World Cup campaign compared with the same period last year.
With millions of people around the world having watched Scotland on the global stage, ministers believe more international visitors are now considering a holiday north of the border, increasing the importance of ensuring they can travel safely.
Transport Scotland figures recorded 35 collisions involving overseas drivers unfamiliar with driving on the left during the latest reporting period, up from 24 the previous year.
According to Road Safety Scotland, some of the most common challenges facing international drivers include navigating roundabouts, driving on rural roads and adapting to Scotland’s rapidly changing weather conditions.
The campaign provides translated posters, leaflets and online guidance to help visitors understand Scotland’s roads before setting off, while Drive on the Left wristbands, available in eight languages, will also be distributed through the hospitality sector and major vehicle rental companies.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said:
“Scotland is world renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history and many unique cultural attractions.
“Exploring the country by car is highly rewarding and, although admired for their beauty, our roads can be challenging to those used to driving on the right.
“Common mistakes by overseas drivers include turning into junctions or roundabouts the wrong way and becoming distracted while on quieter, scenic stretches of road, not to mention navigating Scotland’s notoriously rapidly changing weather conditions, so it’s vital that as many people as possible are aware of the need to drive on the left.
“With data pointing towards even more overseas tourists considering a holiday in Scotland, our campaign equips visitors with the information they need to keep themselves and other road users safe, and we are calling on even more businesses in the hospitality and tourism industries to support it by sharing resources with their visitors.”
The campaign is already supported by organisations including VisitScotland, the National Trust for Scotland and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, with car hire companies including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Sixt and Europcar also helping distribute safety information to visitors.
Tourism and hospitality businesses across Scotland are being encouraged to join the initiative by sharing the campaign’s multilingual resources with international guests, helping ensure visitors enjoy Scotland’s spectacular scenery safely while reducing the risk of collisions on the country’s roads.
For more details and for advice about driving in Scotland click here
