More than 19,000 responses have been received following a public consultation 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 help reduce injury and death on our roads.
The consultation, which concluded earlier this week, sought feedback on proposals to reduce 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 from 40 mph to 50 mph and dual carriageways from 50 mph to 60 mph.
Evidence indicates that these changes could significantly reduce injury collisions, while maintaining journey times and improving journey time reliability.
Transport Scotland will now analyse all responses, with findings and recommendations set to be published later this year.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:
“I want to thank everyone who took the time to engage with this consultation. With over 19,000 responses – the largest ever consultation response Transport Scotland has received – it is clear that these proposals are of great importance to the public and stakeholders.
“Over the coming months, Transport Scotland will carefully assess all feedback before the findings and next steps are published later this year.
“I want to be clear that road safety remains an absolute priority for the Scottish Government and we are fully committed to working towards our ambitious goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030.
“The National Speed Management Review is part of our record £36 million investment in road safety this financial year. Evidence indicates that these proposed speed limit changes could play a significant role in preventing road deaths and serious injuries whilst maintaining journey times and improving journey time reliability.
“We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many. These proposals represent a vital step towards making Scotland roads safer.”
Pic: Transport Scotland
