Motorists may soon see the national speed limit change in Scotland in a bid to reduce road casualties and promote safer travel.
The move proposed by Transport Scotland is part of a multi-million-pound plan to improve road safety in the country and reduce fatalities on the road network.
The £10million funding comes as the transport network looks to meet its Road Safety Framework goals of having the best road safety performance in the world by 2030 and a long-term goal of no one seriously injured or killed on roads by 2050.
In order to meet the goals, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport has updated Parliament on plans aimed at enhancing road safety performance in Scotland.
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Speed cameras will be installed to help promote safer travel
PA
As part of the changes, the transport authority will roll out more speed cameras and advanced technology capable of detecting driving infringements on its road network.
Other updates included a national driver behaviour change campaign, specifically targeting speeding and seat belt use.
The transport authority will also contribute over £4million to support the delivery of projects aimed at reducing pedestrian and cyclist casualties.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many. As always, my first thoughts are with the families and friends who have tragically lost a loved one, and those whose lives are changed forever.”
“Road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and its partners, and we remain absolutely committed to working together to reach our ambitious goals.
“However, despite our best efforts, I am aware of the challenges we face in meeting casualty reduction targets for 2024 and that the number of fatal casualties for 2024 is tracking 26 per cent above the same period last year.”
The need for more support follows recent data which reported 5,788 road casualties in 2023. Of these, there were 155 fatalities, 1,930 people were seriously injured and 3,703 people were slightly injured.
The number killed on Scotland’s roads fell from 171 in 2022 to 155 in 2023 but despite the drop in fatalities, casualties of other severities increased.
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur said: “It is essential that the Government works closely with the police and communities to ensure that measures like these can make a difference.”
He added that the Scottish Lib Dems want to see the Government do “everything they can” to tackle dangerous roads. That includes pressing on with the dualling programmes for the A9 and A96 and reviewing existing road safety measures on key routes.
Meanwhile, Mark Ruskell MSP for the Scottish Greens has been calling for a nationwide 20mph speed limit in the country in a similar fashion to the one launched in Wales.
He said: “Lower speed limits save lives. By rolling out a 20mph default across Scotland we can decrease road deaths and create safer streets and communities. We have seen the success that 20mph limits have had in Wales, cutting speeds and reducing road fatalities, and I want to see the same thing happening here in Scotland.
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“I am glad that the Scottish Government is consulting on this, because it is a long overdue change. We should all have the right to feel safe, and this is a simple change that would help to transform our neighbourhoods and make people feel more confident when walking, wheeling and cycling.”
