A consultation has been launched to gather public and stakeholder views on proposed changes to speed limits in Scotland.The National Speed Management Review seeks to ensure speed limits on Scotland’s roads are appropriate and contribute to reducing injury and death on our roads.
Proposals are to lower the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from
60 mph to 50 mph and to increase speed limits for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes
on single-carriageways to from 40 mph to 50 mph and dual carriageways from 50 mph
to 60mph.
Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said analysis from the review indicates that these changes could significantly reduce injury collisions, while maintaining journey times and enhancing journey time reliability.
She said: “Road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and we remain absolutely committed to working towards our ambitious goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030.
“This consultation on proposed changes to speed limits is part of our record £36 million investment in road safety this financial year. Evidence from the National Speed Management Review indicates that revising speed limits could lead to a significant reduction in the number of injury collisions on our roads while maintaining journey times and enhancing journey time reliability.
“We want to hear from the public and stakeholders on these proposals. The consultation is available online and a series of engagement sessions will be held early in 2025 to ensure a wide range of voices are heard.
“We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many. These proposed changes represent a vital step towards achieving national casualty reduction targets, and I urge everyone to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of road safety in Scotland.”
Martin Reid, policy director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the Road Haulage Association, said: “The Scottish Government should be commended for consulting on the change to HGV speed limits. The 50mph trial on the A9 has resulted in a reduction in risky overtaking with a resultant improvement in safety, backed up by a decade of data from roads in England and Wales.
“The extension of a 50mph limit across all Scottish single-carriageway A-roads should
be expected to yield similar results.
“We also know that lorries use less fuel and create fewer emissions when they can drive at 50mph, and shorter journeys create savings which can be passed on to customers.
“Having HGVs driving at up to 50mph would be a positive step, and we welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to this consultation.”
However, the Scottish Conservatives slammed the plan as a “ludicrous measure which seeks to demonise” motorists in rural areas who rely on using a car.
Scottish Conservative MSP Douglas Lumsden said: “No thought has been given on how the police would cope trying to monitor this, at a time when officer numbers are being cut and the force is at breaking point.
“The Scottish Government’s lack of necessary investment in our roads is endangering lives, hampering our emergency services and threatening our economy.”
Scottish Government plans to cut speed limit to 50mph
28 November 2024
