Scottish Government Abandons Plan to Lower Speed Limit on Single Carriageways
The Scottish government has abandoned plans to reduce the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60mph to 50mph following an unpopular public consultation, where concerns were raised about longer journey times.
Despite this, work will continue to raise speed limits for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on single and dual carriageways to reduce speed differentials and improve journey-time reliability.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop cited evidence showing that speed limits can reduce road deaths and serious injuries, supporting the aim of making Scotland's roads the safest by 2030.
Provisional data from Transport Scotland indicate that road deaths have increased to 160 in 2024, up 13 from 2023, while injuries have decreased to 5,576 from 5,838.
The Scottish Greens condemned the decision to abandon the speed limit reduction, arguing that lower speeds reduce accidents without significantly affecting journey times.
In 2019, the Scottish Parliament also rejected Mark Ruskell's proposal to implement 20mph limits on residential streets.
Currently, standard speed limits are 30mph in built-up areas, 60mph on single carriageways, and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways, with local authorities having the power to set lower limits.
Conservative transport spokesman Liam Kerr criticized the abandoned proposals as wasteful, noting that most respondents did not believe the changes would reduce road casualties.
Meanwhile, the Road Haulage Association welcomed the focus on adjusting HGV speed limits, arguing that reducing speed differentials improves safety and emissions while supporting economic growth.
