The authority behind a new bill proposes that motorists in Scotland should be prohibited from driving faster than 80 km/h. This follows Wales, which has even stricter requirements.
Transport Scotland, part of the Scottish Department for Transport, has proposed banning speeds above 80km/h on selected roads in Scotland. The proposal involves lowering the speed limit from 96 km/h to 80 km/h on roads with one lane in each direction.
The aim of the change is to reduce the number of accidents involving personal injury or death, while maintaining journey times, according to Transport Scotland.
That's what Autocar writes.
The proposal is part of the national review of speed management and also includes an increase in the speed limit for freight trains over 7.5 tonnes. On single carriageways, the limit will be raised from 64 km/h to 80 km/h, and on motorways from 80 km/h to 96 km/h.
The changes have already been trialled on the A9, the country's largest road, between Falkirk and Scrabster Harbour.
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– The result was a reduction in risky overtaking with a consequent improvement in safety.
– The extension of an 80km/h limit on all Scottish single-lane roads is expected to produce similar results, says Martin Reid of the Road Haulage Association.
– "We must never forget that one fatal accident on our roads is one too many. These proposed changes represent an important step towards achieving national accident reduction targets.
– And I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of road safety in Scotland, says the Scottish Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop.
The public now has the opportunity to participate in a hearing on the proposal before a final decision is made in 2025.
If it becomes illegal to drive faster than 80 km/h in Scotland, the country will follow an example from Wales. Last year, motorists were prohibited from driving faster than 30 km/h in most of the country. Read more about it here .
