National speed limit increases for HGVs risk 'penalising' drivers with 'dangerous' road conditions
Road safety experts have warned that proposed increases to HGV speed limits in Scotland could be "counterproductive" and potentially increase dangerous overtaking manoeuvres on roads. It comes after IAM RoadSmart, the UK's largest road safety charity, raised concerns about aspects of the Scottish Government's National Speed Management Review.The review, which was launched earlier this year, proposed increasing speed limits for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes, alongside a controversial reduction in the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60mph to 50mph. Now, Stewart Mackie, IAM RoadSmart Road Safety Manager Scotland, has cautioned that blanket speed limit changes might not achieve the desired safety improvements.Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.ukThe proposal would see HGV speed limits increase to 60mph on dual carriagewaysGETTYCabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop emphasised that "road safety remains an absolute priority" for the Government.The proposed changes would increase speed limits for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageways from 40mph to 50mph. The Scottish Government claimed evidence indicated these changes could significantly reduce injury collisions while maintaining journey times and improving journey time reliability. But IAM RoadSmart has specifically warned that the speed limit changes could have unintended consequences. "We believe a blanket national speed limit reduction will be counterproductive and may even increase risky overtaking manoeuvres," Mackie shared.He noted that data shows such manoeuvres resulted in 70 fatalities between 2015 and 2020. The road safety charity instead advocated for "lower speed limits being applied where data and evidence suggest they will be most effective."This includes options for targeted speed limit reductions to even below 50mph on more dangerous stretches of road. The consultation process has attracted significant public interest, with Hyslop thanking "everyone who took the time to engage."But in response to the proposals, the Scottish Conservatives have launched a campaign titled "SAY NO to 50mph national speed limits," which argues that the SNP Government has "failed to deliver the vital improvements Scotland's roads need."The party claimed that "50mph speed limits on single carriageway roads will penalise ordinary people, without cutting down on dangerous driving." They suggest that road upgrades would be more effective for improving safety than speed limit changes.The Conservatives have characterised the proposals as "the latest front in the SNP's war on motorists." However, the Scottish Government defended the proposals with research showing that "for every 1 km/h reduction in vehicle speed, road fatalities reduce by eight per cent and overall casualties reduce by six per cent."A Government spokesperson told GB News that its forecasts were based on Scottish data, which indicates the proposed changes could result in "a 23 per cent reduction in those killed and an 18 per cent reduction in those seriously injured." They cited international evidence, including "France's successful 2018 speed limit changes," which demonstrated such measures can lower speeds and reduce casualties with minimal effects on journey times.The spokesperson added that "reduced speeds contribute to smoother traffic flow, which reduces congestion."LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:The consultation on speed changes for HGVs received the largest number of responses of any proposalsTRANSPORT SCOTLANDHyslop added: "We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many. These proposals represent a vital step towards making Scotland roads safer."
