Speed limit cut on single carriageway roads being considered by Scottish government
The Scottish government is seeking views on whether to reduce the national speed limit for cars on single carriageways from 60mph to 50mph.
The public consultation also proposes increasing the limit for goods vehicles more than 7.5 tonnes from 40mph to 50mph on single carriageways and from 50mph to 60mph on dual carriageways.
It forms part of the National Speed Management Review and has been welcomed by road hauliers.
In 2023, a total of 5,788 road casualties were reported across the year. Of these, 155 people were killed and 1,930 seriously injured.
A report published earlier this month by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) noted that road fatalities so far in 2024 are already 26% higher than at the same time last year.
Analysis from the review has indicated that the change on Scotland's road network could lead to a 23% reduction in fatalities and an 18% reduction in serious injury within the first year of implementation.
Longer-term, it has been estimated that it could lead to the prevention of more than 1,200 injury collisions over a 60-year period.
Transport Secretary Fiona 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.
"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."
Speed limits for cars are currently set at 30mph in built-up areas, 60mph on single carriageways and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
Local authorities are able to set limits below these, such as 20mph in built-up areas.
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Martin Reid, policy director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the Road Haulage Association, welcomed the consultation.
He 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 Scottish Conservatives branded it a "sleekit consultation".
MSP Sue Webber, the party's shadow transport secretary, said: "If the SNP had kept their promises to upgrade and dual key roads, they wouldn't need to consider more limitations on drivers.
"The SNP are only trying to slow down drivers because they've been so slow to deliver vital infrastructure projects across Scotland.
"If they are genuinely interested in saving lives, the SNP should be investing to improve roads up and down the country from the A9 to the A75, instead of imposing more curbs on motorists."
The consultation will run until 5 March via the Transport Scotland website. The analysed findings are expected to be published next summer.
