THE Scottish Government is considering whether to reduce the speed limit on single-carriageway roads to 50mph.
A public consultation has been announced by the Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop with the public invited to giver feedback on proposals to reduce the national speed limit from 60 to 50mph.
The consultation also considers whether to increase the limit on dual carriageways from 50 to 60mph.
Hyslop 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.”
