At Motorcycle Law Scotland, we deal with numerous incidents each year where motorcyclists are injured in accidents involving other vehicles or as a consequence of road surface defects.
We take the safety of all motorcyclists seriously, as we are passionate motorcyclists ourselves. For that reason, we would like to issue a notification and warning to you that might keep you safe.
In Scotland, we have many miles of beautiful roads, and none more so than the A939. The A939 is the road running south east from Nairn, through Grantown-on-Spey and on to Ballater. It is one of the best roads in Scotland; an old winding military road, which travels through Tomintoul and the Lecht Ski Centre.
The scenery here is breath-taking and the riding can be exhilarating, but a word of caution!
This road has been recently repaired and verges have been re-instated along with other undulations and potholes. However, in the process, this road has now the potential to be a death trap for motorcyclists.
We are aware of at least two separate incidents where highly qualified and experienced bikers have encountered a defect that would seem to consist of a strip of tar as seen below.
If you hit it in damp conditions, it’s like hitting ice.
We were so concerned that we sent Ewen Stewart, Head of Legal Support, up to visit the accident location and see the problem for himself. As he drove to the location from Grantown-on-Spey, he observed many patch repairs, all finished in the same lethal way along the route. He measured the tar banding at 77mm wide when the recommended width is no more than 44mm.
As an Advanced motorcyclist with over 23 years’ experience, riding bikes all over the UK and Europe, Ewen had rarely seen such a hazard for motorcyclists as this surface. It was just like ice or glass.
So, as you prepare to head out over the Spring and Summer to enjoy what Scotland has to offer, please, please, take care and be mindful that not all repaired roads are hazard free, particularly on the A939 in the Highlands and Moray area.