Search

Road safety

Our aim is to ensure that every journey within our area is safe, sustainable and accessible for everyone. We work to reduce harm and prevent collisions by using robust evidence to inform our decisions. Alongside this, we collaborate with communities and partner organisations to educate, engage and raise awareness

We follow Scotland’s Safe System approach, which means everyone has a role in preventing serious road injuries. Road users are expected to follow the rules, while we work with Police Scotland, schools, community groups, and national campaigns to make roads safer for everyone.

View our road safety plan 2021 to 2030, which has been developed in accordance with Transport Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030.

Casualty reduction and safer roads

To help achieve our shared local and national aim of zero road fatalities and serious injuries across Aberdeenshire by 2050, we work with other councils and partner organisations through the Road Safety North East Scotland group.

The work we do involves:

  • Carrying out route risk assessments
  • Improving road layouts infrastructure
  • Delivering road safety education and awareness
  • Completing safety audits
  • Creating safer routes for people walking and cycling
  • Analysing collision and traffic data to target action

Find out about roads maintenance and improvements.

In 2023 a ban on pavement, double and dropped kerb parking was introduced to improve accessibility, particularly for vulnerable road users.

To find out about road casualty data, view: 

Advice for different road users

Some road users are more at risk of serious injury than others. This includes pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, motorcyclists and young drivers.

We work with some of these groups to raise awareness, provide training and support safer road use across Aberdeenshire. Contact us for more information or to request support.

You can find comprehensive road safety advice for different road users on Road Safety Scotland.

Pedestrians

As part of our work to encourage active travel, we aim to support safer walking by giving talks and practical sessions in schools and communities. These cover:

  • Road awareness and recognising hazards
  • Safe places to cross
  • Using visibility aids
  • Planning safe walking routes

Cyclists

Our officers deliver Bikeability Scotland Instructor training to parents, volunteers and school staff, letting them deliver the Bikeability course.

Find out more about Bikeability Scotland or contact your local Bikeability coordinator or more information.

Older drivers

Driving safely helps older people stay independent and confident. We work with Road Safety Scotland to offer support for older drivers by giving:

  • Talks and workshops on age-related changes such as vision, hearing, reaction times and medication
  • Information on legal responsibilities and safer driving strategies
  • Resources such as leaflets, self-assessment tools and checklists

Child car seat safety

By law, children must use a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. After this, a seat belt must be worn.

Our officers give advice and presentations to individuals and groups, including baby and toddler groups. We also work with the Good Egg Safety charity to run free child car seat checking events in local communities.

Severe weather

During severe weather, it’s important to know how to stay safe on the roads and what services are available to help you.

Find out about:

Contact

For general road safety queries contact roadsafety@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

For road safety education information, upcoming events or to request a visit transportsafetyeducationofficers@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.