Scottish Government considers speed limit change as they row back on safety promise

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the move as she revealed road fatalities in 2024 so far are “tracking 26% above the same period last year”

The Scottish Government is to consider changing the speed limit for drivers across Scotland in a desperate bid to curb record road deaths. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the move as she revealed road fatalities in 2024 so far are “tracking 26% above the same period last year”.

The latest shocking statistics from Transport Scotland showed a decrease in road deaths in 2023, down 16 from the previous year to 155. It comes as the SNP rowed back on their vow to make Scotland’s roads the ‘safest in the world’ by 2030; saying now the aim is to be ‘among the best’ in the world.

Last year’s figures also revealed a 3% rise in the number of casualties, with these going from 5,630 in 2022 to 5,788 in 2023. The move is likely to cause anger among drivers similar to scenes witnessed in Wales when their government introduced the measures last year.

A protest was held last month on the one year anniversary of the new limit and more than half a million people signed a petition to have the legislation changed. Stressing that “one death on our roads is one too many”, Ms Hyslop said a record £36 million is being spent on road safety in 2024-25.

The Scottish Government said the cash will fund national campaigns aimed at encouraging drivers to change their behaviour, in a bid to reduce speeding and increase seat-belt use. The Government also plans to use technology to detect those driving while using phones and other handheld devices, and those not wearing seat-belts.