A plan to lower the speed limit on certain roads is to be considered.

The proposal, to reduce the limit on single carriageway roads from 60 mph to 50mph is out for public consultation.

The aim is to cut the speed limit to help reduce the number of fatal road crashed and those that end in serious injury.

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The plan also includes increasing the limit for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on single-carriageways from 40 mph to 50 mph and dual-carriageways from 50 mph to 60mph.  

It is thought that the limits could be reduced without significantly affecting journey times.

Fiona Hyslop Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said: “This consultation on proposed changes to speed limits is part of our record £36 million investment in road safety this financial year. “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.

“We want to hear from the public and stakeholders on these proposals.  The consultation is available online and a series of  engagement sessions will be held early in 2025 to ensure a wide range of voices are heard.

“We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many. These proposed changes represent a vital step towards achieving national casualty reduction targets, and I urge everyone to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of road safety in Scotland.”

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Haulage industry leaders welcomed the plan to increase the speed limit for HGVs.

Martin Reid, Policy Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the Road Haulage Association, said: “The Scottish Government should be commended for consulting on the change to HGV speed limits. The 50mph trial on the A9 has resulted in a reduction in risky overtaking with a resultant improvement in safety, backed up by a decade of data from roads in England and Wales.

“The extension of a 50mph limit across all Scottish single-carriageway A-roads should be expected to yield similar results.”

The consultation can be accessed here www.transport.gov.scot/consultation/national-speed-management-review-consultation/

It runs until March 5, next year.