National speed limits in Scotland could be lowered for cars and increased for HGVs under new plans.
Transport Scotland has opened a consultation that explores slashing the limit for cars on single carriageways from 60mph to 50mph.
The Scottish Government is also looking to increase speed limits for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageways from 40mph to 50mph and dual carriageways from 50mph to 60mph.
The consultation forms part of the National Speed Management Review, which has indicated these changes could significantly reduce injury collisions, while maintaining journey times and enhancing journey time reliability.
Research indicates that lowering the Scottish national speed limit on single carriageways for cars could lead to a 23% reduction in fatalities and an 18% reduction in serious injury within the first year of implementation. Longer term, this could lead to the prevention of more than 1,200 injury collisions over a 60-year period.
A latest report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland highlighted that road fatalities for 2024 so far are already 26% higher than at the same period last year.
It also revealed that the total number of people killed or injured on Scotland’s roads has increased each year since 2020. In 2023, 155 people were killed and 1,930 were seriously injured.
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.”
Pilots of 50mph speed limits on single carriageway sections of the A9 have been running for HGVs since 2016, and the new proposals have gone down well with hauliers.
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.”
The consultation runs until Wednesday 5 March 2025 and series of engagement sessions will also be held early in 2025. Responses will be analysed to inform final recommendations and the findings will be published in summer 2025.
