Caitlin Taylor, RoSPA’s Road Safety Manager, summarises RoSPA’s formal response to the Transport Scotland consultation regarding the proposed changes to speed management in Scotland.

Key aspects of our response

Our stance on speed limit reductions

RoSPA supports the reduction of the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60mph to 50mph for cars and motorcycles. This reduction aligns with our commitment to road safety and our ongoing efforts to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Scotland's roads. We believe this change will significantly improve safety, particularly on roads where the risk of collisions is higher.

We are confident that this measure will contribute positively to Scotland's Road Safety Framework to 2030, which aims for zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. The evidence supporting the safety benefits of lower speed limits is clear: reducing speeds leads to a lower likelihood of fatal and serious collisions, reduces stopping distances, and offers better protection for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.

Furthermore, a reduction in speed limits has the potential to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution, which aligns with Scotland's environmental objectives.

Concerns regarding the increase in HGV speed limits

RoSPA has taken the stance to oppose any increase in the speed limits for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on single and dual carriageways. We have concerns about the impact this could have on road safety. The key reasons for our opposition are:

• Safety: Higher speeds for HGVs could increase the risk of serious collisions, as these vehicles require significantly longer stopping distances compared to smaller vehicles. This could lead to more severe collisions, especially in mixed traffic conditions
• Fatigue and pressure on drivers: Increasing the speed limit for HGVs could exacerbate issues related to driver fatigue. HGV drivers already face long working hours, and raising speed limits may encourage them to drive faster to meet schedules, thus increasing the likelihood of fatigue-related incidents
• Infrastructure and wear: Heavier vehicles moving at higher speeds place additional strain on road surfaces, which could result in increased maintenance costs and more frequent repairs. This would also increase risks for all road users due to the potential for road defects.

While there may be some perceived benefits to increasing the speed limits for goods vehicles - such as reduced journey times and less driver frustration - the risks associated with this change are significant. The potential for increased fatal and serious collisions, more noise pollution, negative environmental impacts, and the added strain on road infrastructure outweighs any benefits. Therefore, overall, it is clear that the risks posed by increasing the speed limits for goods vehicles on single and dual carriageways could be more detrimental than any potential advantages. Prioritising safety, environmental concerns, and long-term infrastructure integrity should take precedence, and as such, the benefits of increasing the speed limits do not outweigh the potential risks

The need for enforcement and public awareness

In line with our position on speed limit reductions, RoSPA stresses the importance of robust enforcement measures. Any changes to speed limits must be accompanied by clear signage, increased use of speed cameras, and comprehensive public education campaigns to ensure compliance.

RoSPA’s response to the consultation is driven by our commitment to reducing road traffic casualties and making Scotland’s roads safer for everyone. We believe that reducing speed limits on single carriageway roads for cars and motorcycles is a necessary step in improving road safety. At the same time, we are opposed to increasing speed limits for HGVs, as we believe this would put road safety at risk.

Read the full consultation response here.
 

Caitlin Taylor is RoSPA’s Road Safety Manager for England.