Plans to cut single carriageway speed limits to 50mph considered by Scottish Government

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to speed limits on single-carriageway roads across the country.

Analysis as part of the National Speed Management Review – which seeks to ensure speed limits on Scotland’s roads are appropriate – is said to have suggested the changes could "significantly reduce" collisions where someone is injured, while at the same time ensuring journey times are more reliable.

The number of people killed on Scotland’s roads fell from 171 in 2022 to 155 in 2023, but the overall number of casualties increased by 3% to 5,788, with serious casualties up by 9% – from 1,778 to 1,930 last year.

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Measure could see speed limits cut on several Aberdeenshire roads including the A90 north of Ellon, the A92 south of Stonehaven, the A93 through Deeside, and the A96 from Inverurie to Inverness.

The consultation runs until Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and invites feedback on proposals to lower the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60 mph to 50 mph.

It also proposes increasing speed limits for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on single-carriageways to from 40 mph to 50 mph and dual carriageways from 50 mph to 60mph.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: "Road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and we remain absolutely committed to working towards our ambitious goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030.

"This consultation on proposed changes to speed limits is part of our record £36million investment in road safety this financial year.

"Evidence from the National Speed Management Review indicates that revising speed limits could lead to a significant reduction in the number of injury collisions on our roads while maintaining journey times and enhancing journey time reliability.

"We want to hear from the public and stakeholders on these proposals. The consultation is available online and a series of engagement sessions will be held early in 2025 to ensure a wide range of voices are heard.

"We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many. These proposed changes represent a vital step towards achieving national casualty reduction targets, and I urge everyone to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of road safety in Scotland."

Martin Reid, Policy Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the Road Haulage Association, said: "The Scottish Government should be commended for consulting on the change to HGV speed limits.

"The 50mph trial on the A9 has resulted in a reduction in risky overtaking with a resultant improvement in safety, backed up by a decade of data from roads in England and Wales.

"The extension of a 50mph limit across all Scottish single-carriageway A-roads should be expected to yield similar results.

"We also know that lorries use less fuel and create fewer emissions when they can drive at 50mph, and shorter journeys create savings which can be passed on to customers.

"Having HGVs driving at up to 50mph would be a positive step, and we welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to this consultation."

For more information and to participate in the consultation, visit the Transport Scotland website.