A new campaign has been launched that calls for the immediate removal of plans to reduce speed limits for cars across Scotland while increasing them for HGVs.
The petition by the Scottish Conservatives follows a move by Transport Scotland which is currently looking at reducing the national speed limit to 50mph.
The concept was first introduced in November last year with a consultation subsequently being launched, which is open until March 5, 2025.
The changes would see the national speed limit on single carriageway roads lowered from 60mph to 50mph and increase speed limits for HGVs on single carriageways from 40mph to 50mph and dual carriageways from 50mph to 60mph.
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Transport Scotland has launched a consultation on the speed changes which runs until March 5
PA
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, explained how road safety is a “key priority” and that the country “must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many”.
She stated that the proposed changes represent a “vital step” towards achieving national casualty reduction targets and urged everyone to take part in the consultation.
In response to the lower speed limit plans, the Scottish Conservatives have fought back against what they describe as another “war on motorists”.
The campaign, “SAY NO to 50mph national speed limits” was launched last week and has already picked up support from drivers across the country.
The campaign detailed: “For nearly two decades the SNP have failed to deliver the vital improvements Scotland’s roads need.
“Roads like the A9, A96, A1, A75, A77 and A83 have become notorious for accidents, injuries and deaths. But instead of finally taking action to fix Scotland’s roads and protect drivers, the SNP now want to punish them with more restrictions.”
It also warned that 50mph speed limits on single carriageway roads risk penalising ordinary people, without cutting down on dangerous driving.
“If the SNP really want to improve road safety, they need to deliver the road upgrades they promised. This is just the latest front in the SNP’s war on motorists. Join our campaign to SAY NO to these clueless plans,” the campaign warned.
The plan by Transport Scotland has been met with mixed views from drivers with one person sharing on social media that it’s “possibly the stupidest of the many stupid ideas to come from the SNP”.
Another commenter said it made sense to increase the HGV limit as it would reduce the difference between lorries and cars, improving the flow of traffic and reducing frustration.
They added: “Speed limits were set when cars were much less safe and took longer to stop and didn’t handle well in cornering. They’re much better now, and with the imminent arrival of autonomy they’re soon going to be a lot safer still.”
Scottish Conservative shadow transport secretary Sue Webber MSP told GB News: “For nearly two decades, incompetent SNP ministers have completely neglected Scotland’s roads. Their appalling failure to dual the A9, A96 and other crucial roads across the country is putting lives at risk.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The campaign is calling on the Scottish Government to scrap plans to change the national speed limit
SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVES
“Rather than taking action to protect drivers, nationalist ministers want to punish them with more pointless restrictions. Instead of imposing more curbs on motorists, they should get on with investing in key roads across the county. I would urge Scots to join our campaign to say to 50mph national speed limits and tell the SNP to think again.”
