Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the National Speed Management Review?
A: The National Speed Management Review is examining changes to speed limits on Scotland's roads.
Q – Why has a National Speed Management Review been undertaken?
A: The review aims to ensure speed limits are appropriate and contribute to reducing the number of those being killed and injured on Scotland’s roads.
Q – What work has been undertaken to date?
A – The review has assessed options to enhance road safety through extensive research, including an analysis of international practices and engagement with stakeholders. Key initiatives include, assessing a reduction of the national speed limit for motor vehicles on single-carriageway roads and increasing speed limits for HGVs.
Q: What changes are being proposed?
A: The review has proposed a reduction in the speed limit on single-carriageway roads for motor vehicles from 60 mph to 50 mph and increase HGV speed limits to 50 mph on single carriageways and 60 mph on dual carriageways.
Q: What are the potential benefits of reducing speed limits?
A: Lowering speeds could significantly reduce casualties. Research has found that for every 1 km/h reduction, road fatalities decrease by 8%, and overall casualties reduce by 6%. Reduced speeds can also improve traffic flow and air quality.
Q: What about the impact on journey times?
A: Analysis shows that these changes will have a minimal impact on journey times for most journeys while maintaining safety and reliability.
Q: How will the proposal impact upon journey time reliability?
A: The proposal is expected to enhance overall journey time reliability across the road network by reducing instances of unplanned and disruptive closures which are a consequence of road traffic collisions.
Q: Is it the case that reducing the speed limit and increase journey times would mean more severe impact on the environment? For example, increased exhaust fumes, air pollution and noise pollution.
A: The proposal is designed to minimise aggressive acceleration and braking, which are significant contributors to pollution. This speed limit proposal would set vehicles to operate at their most efficient speeds. As a result, the proposal is expected to have a negligible impact on the environment.
Q: Could variable speed limits, tailored to weather conditions and peak traffic periods, be an alternate way to enhance road safety and traffic flow?
A: The introduction of additional variable speed limits has been considered as a part of the National Speed Management Plan. However, it is considered that a change in speed limits offers the greatest potential to reduce death and serious injuries on Scotland’s roads.
Q: Would driver education make more of a difference than changing the speed limits?
A: Ensuring that drivers are informed of changes in road safety policy is recognised as an important part of delivering safer roads. Through Road Safety Scotland, a series of national behaviour change campaigns are delivered each year. Further information on these campaigns is contained at: Campaigns - Road Safety Scotland
Q: Have changes like these been implemented elsewhere?
A: Yes. Similar changes in countries like Wales and France have led to measurable reductions in casualties and collision severity, such as a 32% casualty reduction on certain roads in Wales.
Q: Why increase speed limits for HGVs?
A: Increasing HGV speed limits would reduce the speed differential between HGVs and other vehicles, decreasing driver frustration and enhancing safety. Since the introduction of the 50 mph speed limit trial for HGVs on the A9 single carriageway sections between Perth and Inverness there has been improved driver behaviour on this section of the route, a greater compliance with speed limits and a reduction in deaths and serious injuries.
Q: Will the proposed speed limit changes cause more driver frustration?
A: It is recognised that slow moving HGVs can sometimes lead to frustration for drivers of faster moving vehicles, potentially leading to high-risk manoeuvres such as overtaking.
To address this, the proposal aims to reduce the speed differential between HGVs and faster moving vehicles, thereby reducing driver frustration and encouraging good driver behaviours.
Q: Can Scottish Ministers legally change speed limits?
A: Yes. Scottish Ministers have the devolved authority to amend speed limits to enhance road safety and manage traffic effectively.
Q: What will be the implementation and enforcement costs of the speed limit change?
A: Costs associated with the implementation of the proposal will be considered following the outcome of the consultation process.
Q: Will motorway and dual-carriageway speed limits be changed?
A: No changes are proposed for these roads at this time, as they are regarded as Scotland’s safest roads and reducing speeds could significantly impact journey times.
Q: Does this review cover the implementation of 20 mph speed limits?
A: No. Separate commitments are in place to implement 20 mph limits where appropriate by 2025.
Q – Will the proposed speed limit changes cause more driver frustration?
A – It is recognised that slow moving HGVs can sometimes lead to frustration for drivers of faster moving vehicles, potentially leading to high-risk manoeuvres such as overtaking.
To address this, the proposal aims to reduce the speed differential between HGVs and faster moving vehicles, thereby reducing driver frustration and encouraging good driver behaviours.
Q – How will the proposal impact upon journey time reliability?
A – The proposal is expected to enhance overall journey time reliability across the road network by reducing instances of unplanned and disruptive closures which are a consequence of road traffic collisions.
Q – Would driver education make more of a difference than changing the speed limits?
A – Ensuring that drivers are informed of changes in road safety policy is recognised as an important part of delivering safer roads. Through Road Safety Scotland, a series of national behaviour change campaigns are delivered each year. Further information on these campaigns is contained at: Campaigns - Road Safety Scotland
Q – What will be the implementation and enforcement costs of the speed limit change?
A - Costs associated with the implementation of the proposal will be considered following the outcome of the consultation process.
Q – Is it the case that reducing the speed limit and increasing journey times would mean more severe impact on the environment? For example, increased exhaust fumes, air pollution and noise pollution.
A – The proposal is designed to minimise aggressive acceleration and braking, which are significant contributors to pollution. This speed limit proposal would set vehicles to operate at their most efficient speeds. As a result, the proposal is expected to have a negligible impact on the environment.
Q – Could variable speed limits, tailored to weather conditions and peak traffic periods, be an alternate way to enhance road safety and traffic flow?
A – The introduction of additional variable speed limits has been considered as a part of the National Speed Management Plan. However, it is considered that a change in speed limits offers the greatest potential to reduce death and serious injuries on Scotland’s roads.
Q- Where does Scotland rank against international countries for road safety?
A - In 2023, Scotland’s provisional road death rate of 28 per million population ranked sixth lowest among the 37 countries surveyed. For further details, please refer to Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2023
Q: How can the public participate in the consultation?
A:Feedback can be provided online at National Speed Management Review Consultation. Additionally, in-person and online engagement sessions will be held to ensure a wide range of views are heard.
Q: When does the consultation close?
A: The consultation will close on Wednesday 5 March 2025.
Q: What happens after the consultation?
A: Responses will be analysed, and recommendations will be made to Scottish Ministers. Proposed changes, if any, will be announced with timelines for implementation.