The Scottish Government’s proposal to reduce the speed limit on many single carriageway roads to 50mph has sparked significant debate.
While road safety is an understandable concern, this blanket policy is short-sighted and fails to address the real issues affecting Scotland’s Road network.
Instead of enhancing safety and efficiency, the speed reduction is likely to hinder economic growth, exacerbate driver frustration, and fail to account for the unique realities of Highland roads.
The Highlands are an essential economic hub for tourism, agriculture, and logistics.
Cutting the speed limit to 50mph will slow down travel times for residents, businesses, and tourists alike.
For those working in industries that rely on timely deliveries—such as farming, fishing, and hospitality—longer journey times will directly impact efficiency and profitability.
Haulage companies, already grappling with high fuel costs and driver shortages, will face further challenges in keeping supply chains running smoothly.
Tourism, a lifeline for the region, could also suffer.
Visitors already find navigating the Highlands time-consuming due to winding roads and unpredictable weather.
A further reduction in speed will make remote destinations even less accessible, discouraging visitors from exploring beyond the central belt.
A policy that hinders economic activity in one of Scotland’s most fragile rural economies should not be pushed through without considering the broader consequences.
Advocates of the 50mph limit argue that lower speeds will lead to fewer accidents.
However, evidence from other regions suggests that reducing speed limits does not necessarily reduce road casualties.
Driver behaviour, road conditions, and vehicle quality play more significant roles in accident rates than an arbitrary speed reduction.
Many accidents on Highland roads are caused by driver inexperience, poor overtaking decisions, and sudden encounters with wildlife—not by excessive speed.
A one-size-fits-all approach fails to acknowledge that many single carriageway roads in Scotland are already well-maintained and safe to drive at 60mph, the current limit.
Rather than an across-the-board reduction, targeted investments in road maintenance, better signage, and enhanced driver education would be far more effective in improving road safety.
One consequence of lowering speed limits is increased driver frustration, leading to riskier manoeuvres.
Slower-moving vehicles can create longer convoys on roads with limited overtaking opportunities.
Impatient drivers may take greater risks when trying to pass slower-moving traffic, leading to a greater chance of head-on collisions—ironically making roads more dangerous rather than safer.
Furthermore, many Highland roads are already challenging to drive due to their remote nature and varying conditions.
Placing an arbitrary lower limit on them ignores the fact that responsible drivers already adjust their speed based on weather, visibility, and road conditions.
Imposing a mandatory reduction assumes that drivers are unable to make these decisions for themselves.
Rather than imposing a blanket 50mph limit, the Scottish Government should focus on targeted measures that genuinely enhance road safety.
Increased investment in road maintenance, clearer signage on dangerous bends, better lighting, and improved passing places would all make a more meaningful difference.
Additionally, initiatives like variable speed limits—where limits adjust based on traffic and weather conditions—could be a more intelligent way to manage speed without unnecessarily restricting travel at all times.
Driver education also plays a crucial role.
Many accidents in the Highlands involve tourists unfamiliar with single-track roads, passing etiquette, or local driving conditions.
Greater public awareness campaigns, better enforcement of existing laws, and incentives for defensive driving courses would do more for safety than a blanket speed reduction.
The proposed 50mph speed limit on single carriageway roads in the Highlands is a misguided policy that ignores the region’s economic needs, real safety challenges, and the frustration it will cause drivers.
Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all rule, Scotland should adopt smarter, more effective road safety solutions that address the actual causes of accidents without unnecessarily restricting those who rely on these roads daily.
If the government is truly committed to improving Highland roads, it should focus on better infrastructure and targeted safety measures, not simply slowing everyone down.
The public is being urged to submit their views on this in a National Speed Management Review Consultation at https://consult.gov.scot/transport-scotland/national-speed-management-review/ by the 5th of March 2025.
