Scotland could follow Wales in mandating 20mph limits on all roads – ‘Proven to reduce casualties’
Scotland could implement 20mph speed limits on all roads after figures from Wales showed a rapid drop in casualties.
The number of casualties on Welsh roads has dropped by 23 per cent during the mandatory 20mph limit, which was first introduced in September last year.
Over the last 11 months, data from the Welsh Government has found that the drop from 30mph to 20mph on residential roads has helped save lives.
The number of cases where people have been killed or seriously injured on roads in Wales fell to 78 in the first three months of 2024 compared to 101 incidents recorded in the first three months of 2023.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing motoring@gbnews.uk
After seeing the success of the lower speed limit, Scottish politicians are calling for a similar measure to be implemented across the country.
Mark Ruskell, Green transport spokesperson, said: “Lower speeds save lives. There are people who are alive and well today thanks to Wales’s default 20mph limit.”
The Green MSP had previously tried to introduce lower speeds in 2019 but failed to garner the support needed from fellow Holyrood MPs.
During that time, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson stated that councils were “best placed” to use their local knowledge to decide where 20mph limits should be brought in, rather than through legislation.
But after seeing the impact the lower speeds have had In Wales, Ruskell is now urging the Government in Scotland to act.
He remarked: “We need to learn from their experience and replicate its success across Scotland.
“Fundamentally it’s about safety and making our neighbourhoods more welcoming and accessible for all.
“We have already made really important progress across parts of the country, with lifesaving 20mph defaults becoming more and more common, and it’s crucial that the Scottish Government supports councils to finish the job as soon as possible.”
He explained that everyone could benefit from safer streets and that a default 20mph speed limit in built-up areas was a “simple, quick and proven way to reduce road casualties”.
20mph speed limits have been slowly coming into power across Scotland, most recently in Glasgow, where 211 miles of roads were changed, including most of the city centre to help encourage more walking, wheeling and cycling.
In total, 3,868 streets which were assigned to have a 30mph speed limit were reduced to just 20mph.
There are currently 1,400 streets in Glasgow with 20mph speed limits with 472 streets set to keep the assigned 30mph limit.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Sadiq Khan encourages Londoners to ‘reclaim streets’ by ditching vehicles for World Car Free DayMan, 80, threatened with £1,000 fine after storing donated Ulez cars for Ukraine – ‘Ludicrous!’Petrol and diesel prices to get ‘significantly worse’ if Labour unveil new fuel tax changes
Many are calling for a targeted approach to new 20mph speed limit roads, namely introducing the measures on streets near schools, hospitals, residential homes and other areas where vulnerable people may be.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government remains supportive of 20mph limits and continues to work with local authorities to promote their implementation on adjoining trunk roads where it is appropriate to do so.”