IF YOU’RE planning a summer road trip and of a nervous disposition, ClickMechanic have helpfully identified routes from across the planet you’ll want to avoid.
While some of Scotland’s roads can be described as scary, the five chosen by the online car repair firm as among the world’s most dangerous take things to another level.
First up is the North Yungas Road in Bolivia. With more than 300 fatalities annually up until 1994, it is known as Death Road. There’s the risk of dropping thousands of feet over the edge from a road that seldom gets even 10ft wide.
The Stelvio Pass in Italy is definitely not for the faint-hearted as it contains 48 hairpin bends on a steep, narrow climb to more than 9000ft above sea level. Thrill-seekers, however, will be rewarded with breathtaking views.
When a road is carved into the side of and through a cliff, it usually spells trouble – as is the case with the Guoliang Tunnel high in the Taihang Mountains of China. A handful of workers died during its construction, highlighting the dangers it poses.
Meanwhile, the Dalton Highway in icy Alaska presents an entirely different kind of danger. Said to be the loneliest road on the planet, a breakdown on this 414-mile route could be disastrous.
Perhaps equally treacherous – this time because of sweltering 50C heat – is the 833-mile Anne Beadell Road that links South and Western Australia. It passes through remote arid deserts and scrub territory, with sand dunes a common feature.
ClickMechanic boss Andrew Jervis said: “To say these roads and trails are scary is an understatement. While they look spectacular, it would be worth staying well clear of them if safety is your priority.”
Perhaps it would be best to stick to Scotland’s own stunning but far safer North Coast 500 during your holidays…
