Consultation on speed limits opens

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation seeking feedback on proposals to lower the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60 mph to 50 mph and to increase speed limits for goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes on single carriageways from 40 mph to 50 mph and dual carriageways from 50 mph to 60 mph.

This is in response to National Speed Management Review (NSMR) undertaken by Scottish Government to examine the potential effects of changes to speed limits across Scotland. 

Aimed at improving Scotland’s road safety performance, the options are primarily focused on rural and island roads. Consideration of urban roads is beyond the scope of the study, reflecting the ongoing implementation of 20mph Speed Limit on all appropriate urban roads.

The Scottish Government are therefore keen that those within rural and island communities and stakeholders with interests let their views be known through the consultation process. Within rural and island areas there are significant industries including fisheries for which road haulage plays an important part of their distribution of goods, and so the views of these sectors are particularly relevant. 

The NSMR supports Transport Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 and seeks to ensure speed limits on Scotland’s roads are appropriate and help contribute to a reduction in injury and death on our roads.

The Framework sets out a long-term vision for road safety, Vision Zero, where there are zero fatalities and injuries on Scotland’s roads by 2050. As per the framework’s interim targets to 2030, four main casualty reduction targets have been outlined:

After the consultation has closed there will be a few months delay before any responses are published. This is because Scottish Governemnt must check any responses to be published abide by their Terms of Use.

An analysis report will usually be published some months after the consultation has closed. This report will summarise the findings based on all responses submitted and it will be published on the Scottish Government website - ou may be notified about it if you choose to share your email address when completing the consulatation. 

The consultation closes on the 5 March 2025 and can be accessed at: National Speed Management Review - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

The National Speed Management Review 2024 can be found at:  National Speed Management Review 2024 | Transport Scotland

Picture credit: A Robertson