The national speed limit on single carriageways could be cut from 60mph to 50mph to improve road safety under plans being considered by the Scottish Government. A public consultation has been launched by Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop into the plans, which would also see an increase in speed limits for HGVs.
The government’s research suggests these changes could “significantly reduce” collisions that result in injury as well as maintaining journey times and improving their reliability. Hyslop said the SNP government wants to make Scotland’s roads “the safest in the world”.
The consultation asks for views from Scots on proposals to lower the national speed limit on single-carriageway roads to 50mph and to increase speed limits for lorries, trucks and vans exceeding 7.5 tons. On single carriageways, that would be an increase from 40mph to 50mph and dual carriageways from 50mph to 60mph.
It comes after a National Speed Management Review which explored if speed limits on Scotland’s roads are appropriate and contributing to reducing injury and death on our roads. 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 £36million 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.
The Nats minister added: “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.”
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) welcomed the move to look at higher speed limits for HGVs. A 50mph trial speed limit for heavy vehicles on the A9, introduced in 2014, has coincided with a 20 per cent drop in fatal collisions on the road between Perth and Inverness.
England and Wales moved to bring in a 50mph for HGVs on single carriageways in 2015. Martin Reid, the RHA’s policy director for Scotland, said: “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.”
The number of deaths overall on Scottish roads fell to its lowest ever level in 2023, however they are up by 26 per cent so far this year. The consultation runs until March 5.
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