It's crucial to keep traffic moving and there are many traffic management measures in place on Scotland's trunk road network, including:
The trunk road network is only congested for limited periods of time, either because of peaks in demand or because of temporary lane restrictions caused by accidents or roadworks. Improved driver information can help to alleviate congestion.
Drivers on Scotland's trunk roads are provided with up-to-the-minute information about road conditions by Traffic Scotland.
This groundbreaking system was established by the Scottish Government to improve safety and efficiency. Messages are displayed to give drivers advance warning of problems such as:
Road workers are present on busy motorways in all conditions and often at night. To protect them and you, high visibility signs let you know what to expect, how far until you reach the roadworks and what to do when you get there.
If you see these signs, stay alert and be prepared for different driving conditions ahead.
The Scottish Government has also introduced a new approach to clearing congestion caused by incidents and hazards. The Incident Support Service is currently in place on trunk roads in and around Glasgow.
The Incident Support Service deploys specially trained staff to patrol designated motorways and trunk roads. They provide early support to the police and deal with emerging issues which may restrict the movement of traffic. This support might include:
