The driving habit Stirling visitors must watch this summer

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-31 16:21 2 min read

A gray road between green trees under a cloudy blue sky

International visitors driving around Stirling this summer are being urged to keep left and remain fully focused, particularly at junctions, roundabouts and on rural roads.

Stirling Council published the reminder on 31 July 2026 as part of a national campaign with the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland. The message applies across the Stirling area, including routes that may be unfamiliar, winding, undulating or reduced to a single track.

Junctions and roundabouts carry the highest risk

A driver accustomed to travelling on the right may briefly revert to that habit when concentration drops. The campaign identifies entering a roundabout in the wrong direction and turning onto the wrong side of the road at a junction as potentially dangerous errors.

Quieter roads can also create a false sense of familiarity. Visitors should consciously check their road position after every turn and keep the left-side rule in mind throughout the journey.

Single-track roads demand sustained attention

Rural routes around Stirlingshire may include single-track sections and passing places. Drivers unfamiliar with these roads should pay close attention to the road layout and local driving etiquette rather than relying on habits formed elsewhere.

Long, twisting and undulating roads can require concentration even when traffic appears light. Planning the route before departure can reduce distractions once the journey is under way.

Tired drivers should stop before concentration slips

Road Safety Scotland is also warning about driving on “autopilot”, when familiar actions take over and awareness of local conditions fades. Fatigue makes that lapse more likely, especially during a long journey or on a quiet road.

Visitors should begin well rested and take a break if tired. Councillor Alasdair Tollemache said Stirlingshire and the wider Forth Valley offer places where motorists can stop, have a coffee and rest before continuing safely.

The official campaign is aimed at overseas visitors

The Drive on the Left campaign is intended to reinforce Scottish road-safety expectations for tourists who normally drive on the opposite side. Its central instructions are to keep left, plan ahead, concentrate and respond to unfamiliar road conditions.

Local venues across the Stirling Council area and Forth Valley can obtain official posters and social-media materials from Road Safety Scotland to help place the reminder where visiting motorists are likely to see it.

Source: Stirling Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

This guidance was prepared from Stirling Council’s published road-safety notice and preserves the actions and risks identified there.

Checks

Confirmed the notice was first published on 31 July 2026.
Checked that Stirling Council is supporting a national campaign with the Scottish Governme...
Kept the driving risks limited to those identified in the notice: junctions, roundabouts...
Verified that campaign materials are available to venues across the Stirling Council area...

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