To ask the Scottish Government how it is informing tourists and other visitors of how to use roads across the Highlands and Islands safely. (S6O-03565)

In 2019, Road Safety Scotland, Police Scotland and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association developed a campaign targeting people who are not familiar with driving on the left. Leaflets, wristbands and windscreen stickers were provided to car rental companies to distribute to foreign drivers hiring vehicles at airports across Scotland. We also offer advice to motorcyclists, as well as to drivers of caravans and motorhomes.

In 2023, after Covid, the campaign was relaunched, and resources were made available in tourist centres, airports and ferry ports, supported by signs with various messages. The driver wristbands say, “Drive on the left” in nine languages, and clutch reservoir gaiters saying, “Ride on the left” in eight languages were produced for motorcyclists. A short animated video for drivers to view in advance of picking up their vehicles was also created. Orders for materials can be made for distribution this year.

The potential risks of tourists and others who are unfamiliar with the A9 using the road are well known. Across the Highlands and Islands, we are seeing a proliferation of motorhomes, many of which are driven by people with no experience of driving one, nor of the difficult and too often pothole-ridden roads that they are driving on.

In Orkney and Shetland, there has been an increase in the number of visitors touring the islands on e-bikes that are provided by the cruise ships that they have just come off. Many of those people will not have ridden one before, and they are using roads that are simply not suitable for large slow-moving groups of cyclists, who are often more focused on the scenery than on the road and other traffic. I have seen such groups, myself.

What concerns does the Cabinet secretary have about the potential risks that those situations are creating? How can the Scottish Government support the police and local councils in addressing them?

Jamie Halcro Johnston has raised an important and serious issue in relation to unfamiliarity and different vehicles. The motorhomes that are being hired should be identified as a particular target for the campaign that I referred to.

On Jamie Halcro Johnston’s point about e-bikes, I note that ferry ports, as well as airports, are important exit points to destinations, so upping the profile of the issues and the “Drive on the left” campaign in those contexts is important. I am also aware that, on some Loganair flights—I might not be correct about the airline—there is an announcement about the issue to people who are leaving the aircraft. Raising of the campaign’s profile continues. We also support road safety through councils including Highland Council.