Rope strung across 60mph Dundee road ‘could have killed biker’

Road safety campaigners have warned that a rope strung across a 60mph Dundee road in the pitch black could have killed a biker, according to reports in local paper The Courier.

One man, who has asked not to be named, was driving on Templeton Road in Dundee at about 12.10am last Friday when he nearly drove into the thick cord tied from one tree to another at the junction pictured above.

Luckily, he was able to stop in time and quickly untied the rope, which was across a 60mph speed limit section of the A923 Coupar Angus Road next to a blind corner and the entrance to the woods.

He said: “It was at least three foot off the ground and it was dark so it would have been a serious accident if it had been hit by a biker. They could have gone straight into the trees and been lying there for days before someone found them.

“However, I think there might have been something else behind it.

“I was thinking if someone had got out their car to take the rope down, someone watching could have stolen the car.

“I was with a mate, so I took the rope off. It’s a busy road so the rope couldn’t have been up for long.”

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “This was an incredibly dangerous thing to do.”

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Activity such as this is extremely dangerous to all road users and could have serious life-threatening or fatal consequences. Anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area, or has any information on those responsible should contact Police Scotland on 101. Information can be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”