The Scottish Government has set out the next steps in its National Speed Management Review as it looks to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Scotland’s roads.
The update follows the publication of findings from more than 19,500 responses to a national public consultation on speed limits and road safety.
Ministers have confirmed that there will be no immediate change to national speed limits on single carriageway roads following consideration of the consultation feedback.
Further analysis will instead be carried out to assess the impact of potential speed limit changes on different types of single carriageway roads, focusing on casualty rates and journey times.
The Government has also confirmed it will move forward with work to increase speed limits for Heavy Goods Vehicles on both single and dual carriageways.
This change is intended to reduce the speed difference between HGVs and other vehicles, a factor identified as contributing to driver frustration and risky overtaking.
The decision follows evidence from the A9 HGV speed limit trial and experience elsewhere in the UK, which showed improved journey time reliability and safety benefits.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:
“The National Speed Management Review provides important evidence on how speed limits can help reduce road deaths and serious injuries, and is helping us work towards our ambitious goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030.
“The next steps have been informed by the huge number of responses to the public consultation.
“Work will be undertaken to further analyse the impact on road casualties and journey times of a speed limit change on different standards of single carriageways and this will inform any future transport policies.
“We are also going to start work now on the steps needed to increase HGV speed limits, recognising the consultation feedback and the positive results of similar changes from the A9 HGV speed limit trial and other parts of the UK.
“By reducing the speed differential between HGVs and other vehicles, this change is expected to enhance road safety by reducing driver frustration 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’s roads safer.”
The Scottish Government has said further updates will be provided as analysis continues and proposals are developed.
Road safety campaigners and transport bodies are expected to scrutinise the next phase closely as Scotland works towards its long term Vision Zero ambitions.
