Lives will be saved by the rollout of 20mph speed limits as streets are transformed into “safer, more liveable spaces,” the Scottish Greens have said at the start of Global Road Safety Week.
140 people were killed on Scotland’s roads in 2021, with a further 1,615 suffering serious injury.
But a Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH) study found that road casualties could be reduced by over 10%, saving emergency services £40m a year, with the introduction of 20mph speed limits in built up areas.
Wales will introduce a national 20mph speed limit in September this year.
Scottish Greens transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP, said:
“A few years ago I led the campaign to introduce 20mph speed limits across Scotland’s built-up areas.
“The progress being made on this today will be felt for generations, as lives are saved and the streets where we live, work and play are transformed into safer, more liveable spaces.
“In the Bute House Agreement we pledged to make all appropriate roads in built up areas 20mph by 2025, and every Scottish council is now finalising plans to implement that.
“This year the Highlands became the first council to see the rollout happen across their entire area, encompassing 130 towns and villages.
“Meanwhile the process is well underway in Edinburgh with most roads already 20mph, while Glasgow recently announced their citywide plans, and similar progress is being made up and down the country from the Borders to Shetland.
“20mph speed limits are the simplest, quickest and cheapest way to reduce casualties and save lives.
“I’m delighted that with Scottish Greens in government we’re making it a reality.”
