Road safety advocates are raising concerns about recently proposed speed limit adjustments in Scotland, suggesting they might inadvertently create more hazardous driving conditions.
The debate stems from the Scottish Government’s National Speed Management Review, which proposes increasing speed limits for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes while simultaneously lowering the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60mph to 50mph.
Stewart Mackie, Road Safety Manager Scotland at IAM RoadSmart – a leading UK road safety charity – expressed reservations about the broad nature of these changes. “Blanket speed limit alterations may not necessarily translate into enhanced safety,” he stated.
The proposed revisions would raise HGV speed limits on single carriageways from 40mph to 50mph. The government argues that evidence supports this change, suggesting it could lessen injury collisions while maintaining travel times and improving reliability.
However, IAM RoadSmart cautions against unintended consequences. “We’re concerned that a widespread reduction in the national speed limit could be counterproductive, potentially encouraging drivers to take greater risks when attempting to overtake,” Mackie explained. Data from 2015-2020 reveals that risky overtaking maneuvers contributed to 70 fatalities. The charity advocates for targeted speed reductions based on specific road conditions and data analysis, including the possibility of limits below 50mph in particularly dangerous areas.
The consultation regarding these proposals has garnered substantial attention. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop acknowledged this engagement, thanking those who participated. She emphasized the government’s commitment to safety: “Road safety remains an absolute priority.”
Opposition from the Scottish Conservatives highlights a different perspective. They’ve launched a campaign – “SAY NO to 50mph national speed limits” – arguing that the proposed changes will disproportionately affect drivers without meaningfully improving road safety and instead advocating for investment in road infrastructure improvements. The party views these proposals as part of what they describe as an anti-motorist agenda.
In defense of the plan, the Scottish Government points to research demonstrating a correlation between reduced speeds and fewer accidents; specifically, a decrease of 8% in fatalities and 6% in overall casualties for every 1 km/h reduction in vehicle speed. A government spokesperson indicated that their forecasts, based on Scottish data, project a potential 23% reduction in fatalities and an 18% reduction in serious injuries as a result of the changes. They also cited France’s experience with similar measures implemented in 2018, demonstrating reduced casualties without significantly impacting travel times. The spokesperson added that lower speeds often contribute to smoother traffic flow and decreased congestion.
- IAM RoadSmart advocates for targeted speed limit reductions based on data and road conditions.
- The Scottish Conservatives argue the proposals will penalize drivers and advocate for road upgrades instead.
- The Scottish Government cites research suggesting a link between reduced speeds and fewer accidents.
Hyslop concluded: “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’s roads safer.”
