The Scottish Government has launched a groundbreaking speed management consultation that could reduce the national speed limit.
The proposals include lowering the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60 mph to 50 mph but increasing limits for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from 40 mph to 50 mph on single-carriageways and from 50 mph to 60mph on dual carriageways.
Transport Scotland said the National Speed Management Review seeks to ensure that speed limits on Scotland’s roads are appropriate and contribute to reducing injuries and deaths.
Last month official figures confirmed a rise in the number of road casualties in Scotland in 2023.
Transport Scotland said that analysis from the review indicates that its planned changes could significantly reduce injury collisions, while maintaining journey times and enhancing journey time reliability.
Its consultation webpage says the proposals aim to 'reduce driver frustration leading to reduced casualties and ultimately enhanced safety of Scotland’s road network'.
Announcing the consultation at Road Expo this week, transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said: ‘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, the Road Haulage Association’s policy director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, said the Scottish Government should be commended for consulting on the change to HGV speed limits.
He added: ‘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 consultation runs until 5 March.
The December issue of Highways magazine will have an article analysing Scotland’s road safety record and the Scottish Government’s attempts to cut casualties.
