A MAN has died after his car crashed head-on into an articulated lorry on one of Scotland’s most dangerous roads.
The 40-year-old was travelling in a Mercedes E220 on the A801 near East Whitburn, West Lothian when the accident happened at around 11.20am today (Mon).
The Mercedes, which costs in the region on £30,000, hit the lorry head-on, resulting in the driver suffering serious injury.
The driver of the lorry suffered from shock but did not require hospital treatment.
A police spokesman said: “Lothian and Borders Police are investigating following a fatal road collision in West Lothian.
“A 48-year-old man suffered serious injuries after his Mercedes E220 car was involved in a collision with an articulated lorry on the A801 road near East Whitburn at around 11.20am on Monday, February 6.
“Enquiries are now ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding this incident any anyone who can assist with our investigation is asked to contact police immediately.”
Politician and former area MSP Cathy Peattie has previously condemned the road as “dangerous”
In 2008 she said: “It is the shortest arterial route south to the M8. If it wasn’t already so congested and dangerous, more transport would use it, reducing travel distances and times.”
The road has seen numerous crashes, including in July 2010 when a man narrowly escaped being crushed by a 32-tonne lorry.
Tom Stewart’s Honda Civic was almost flattened after the lorry driver lost control on a roundabout.
The A801 is known as the “missing link” between the M8 and M9.
Last year politicians lobbied Scottish ministers to get a £22 million upgrade of the road off the ground.
Sections of the road are unsuitable for larger vehicles, but it is seen as a strategic transport link between the motorways at both regional and national levels.
Both West Lothian and Falkirk councils want the road upgraded with a fly-over bridge to improve business links.
