Drivers have been left furious over national plans to introduce lower speed limits for cars on major roads but increase the speeds for Heavy Goods Vehicles.
The anger follows a move by Transport Scotland which is currently in the consultation phase of the proposal which has already received nearly 9,000 responses.
The plans hope to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on Scottish roads, but many drivers have called the move hypocritical considering HGVs are frequently involved in road collisions.
The proposal would change the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60mph to 50mph for ordinary vehicles but allow HGVs weighing over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageways would see speeds increase from 40mph to 50 mph, and on dual carriageways from 50mph to 60mph.
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The proposal would see HGV speed limits increase to 60mph on Scottish roads
TRANSPORT SCOTLAND
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and we remain absolutely committed to working towards our ambitious goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030.
“Evidence from the National Speed Management Review indicates that revising speed limits could lead to a significant reduction in the number of injury collisions on our roads while maintaining journey times and enhancing journey time reliability.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to engage with the consultation so far, and hope people will take the opportunity to attend these sessions.”
The online consultation has been running since November 2024 and has already received over 8,700 responses ahead of its closure on Wednesday, March 5.
Responses from drivers on the proposed changes have been mixed, with one person sharing that there are some roads which should have a 50mph limit “but not all”.
Someone else shared: “Allowing HGV lorries to go faster is ridiculous and hypocritical. They are already going fast enough. Lorry drivers also drive far too close to you. They never give drivers enough room and often tailgate.”
According to official reports by Transport Scotland, there were 30 casualties due to a collision with HGV in 2023 with two people sadly losing their lives.
Another person shared: “Fatality rates are lower than they were decades ago, and vehicles have become much safer, yet we have lower 20mph urban limits, an outdated 70mph dual carriageway/motorway limit and now it looks like 50mph on nearly every other road. Totally bampot stuff. Might as well reintroduce the bloke with the red flag.”
Despite drivers being adamant the move would be more of a hassle than it’s worth, the Transport Secretary has insisted it will make a difference.
She explained that evidence from the National Speed Management Review has already indicated that revising speed limits could lead to a “significant reduction” in the number of collisions on Scottish roads while maintaining journey times and enhancing journey time reliability.
Meanwhile, Martin Reid, Policy Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the Road Haulage Association, detailed how the 50mph trial on the A9 has resulted in a reduction in “risky overtaking”.
He suggested that the extension of a 50mph limit across all Scottish single-carriageway A-roads “should be expected to yield similar results”.
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Drivers have until March 5 to respond to the consultation on speed limit changes
PA
On the other hand, another respondent said they are “very much in favour” of Scotland’s HGV speed limits being increased and brought in line with England and Wales.
They added: “It’s very important that all drivers of any vehicle drive to the road and its conditions at the time but the current 40mph speed limit for HGVs on single carriageways in Scotland is very antiquated and out of date.
“It’s potentially unsafe as following car drivers will get frustrated and take unnecessary risks to overtake, modern day trucks are very safe and have extremely good braking systems and travelling at 50mph on single carriageways will give better journey times and better fuel economy figures.”