It has long been an issue at the height of tourist season and lives have been lost from disorientated drivers not used to driving on the left hand side of the road.

But now the issue of tourists driving on the wrong side of Scotland’s roads has become so frequent that local politicians are seeking the help of global tech giants such as Google and Apple to remind drivers to keep left. 

Kate Forbes MSP, has written to the firms asking if reminders can be added to their satellite navigation apps and devices telling drivers to keep left.

A number of high-profile incidents involving international visitors driving on the right hand side in the Highlands have provoked calls for more to be done to educate drivers.

The SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch hopes notifications can be included in satellite technology in a similar way to warnings to remain within the speed limit.

Over half a million international travellers flock to the Scottish Highlands every year, according to VisitScotland, with many hiring cars and campervans to travel around some of the remote landmarks. 

Last week motorist Alan McConachie, from Elgin, was travelling home from a weekend in Glasgow when he witnessed a motorhome driving on the wrong side of the A9 dual carriageway.

The shocking video posted online showed the motorhome hurtling down the inside lane, forcing oncoming cars out of its way. 

Mr McConachie said: “I was behind him for miles. Just before the road becomes a dual carriageway he panicked and went across to the other side. There were people flashing him.”

Skye has also been prone to visiting drivers failing to keep left on their small, twisty roads. In December, local resident Sharon Anslow was on her way to work when she collided with a Fiat 500 being driven on the wrong side of the road by two tourists. 

Ms Anslow  was left with minor injuries after her car plunged down a steep embankment near the Sligachan Hotel after colliding with the car.

The mother-of-three, who is one of Ms Forbes’ constituents, subsequently launched the “Keep Left” campaign in an effort to raise awareness for tourists driving through the area. 

A petition started by Ms Anslow, to increase road signs or prompts telling drivers to keep left, has now received over 2,000 signatures. Signatories to the petition shared their similar experiences while driving on the island.

Val Nash posted: “I have been faced with cars and on one occasion a van, coming towards me on my side of the road. 

“Reminders are needed, especially after a parking area and heading into passing places on single-track road.”

While Brian McIlroy said: “I’m a weekly commuter to the island we need to do everything we can to make driving safer on Skye. [The] #keepleft is a fantastic campaign. 

“Better road markings and less cluttered signage. Anything that helps visitors and locals.”

Following her accident, Ms Anslow said she was lucky to be alive after she was cut from the wreckage of her car by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 

“The more people I speak to the more I realise that this is a massive issue on the island and something has to be done before somebody is killed,” she posted on the petition page.

Speaking to BBC Scotland Ms Anslow added: “It’s terrifying. I relive the moment all the time and try to figure out if I could have done anything differently, but I couldn’t have done.”

Ms Forbes, the Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy, has been campaigning on behalf of her constituents to increase road safety.

She said she has already contacted car hire companies to raise awareness of the issue. 

One company, Skye Car Hire, received praise last week after including “Keep Left” stickers with their hire vehicles, and encouraging tourists to place them on the steering wheel.

Ms Forbes said: “Nobody intentionally drives on the wrong side of the road, but clearly we’ve got to do more to remind visitors to drive on the left. I’m sure that many will be using a navigation device, whether a GPS, SatNav, Google or Apple maps.

“Already, these devices usually remind drivers not to touch it whilst driving and to keep to the speed limit.

“As such, I have contacted the tech companies to ask if they could develop them further to remind drivers to drive on the left.

“This could be done either verbally whilst driving or a warning sign before the start of a journey. Either way, it is another way of reminding drivers as they drive to keep left.”

The MSP has already met with Transport Scotland, VisitScotland and Highland Council officials to see what small improvements can be made before the peak tourist season.