Hundreds of roads are going to have their speed limit reduced from December, affecting thousands of drivers in Scotland.
If you’re walking along a road and you get struck by a vehicle travelling at 30mph, it’s seven times more likely to be fatal than if you were hit at 20mph. That’s why the Scottish Government is reducing its speed limits in urban areas, striving for slower, safer streets.
Local authorities have been working with Transport Scotland to reduce speeds in villages, towns and cities to enhance road safety. However, it might slightly increase bus journey times.
North Ayrshire Council has announced reductions in speed limit on some roads from 30mph to 20mph. The changes will be rolled out in phases, with more than 2,000 signs scheduled for installation by March 2026.
Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, emphasised that “the need for lower speed limits on urban roads comes from concerns about road safety.”
He emphasised that “slower is safer” and that the aim is to make roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelers and motorists with fewer serious injuries. It’s also hoped that it will encourage people to walk, cycle and wheel more, leading to a healthier lifestyle and benefits for the local environment.
Statistics for 2022 emphasise the urgency of the initiative. There were 2,201 casualties on Scottish roads with a 30mph speed limit, including 623 serious injuries and 31 fatalities.
Each local authority has the responsibility to decide which roads are suitable for the lower limit. The rollout will begin in the Springside area of Irvine, where 30mph signs will be replaced with 20mph signage between December 8 and 10.
Official council documents detailed: “The ambitions intended to be realised by lowering the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph on all appropriate roads are a reduction in road collisions and, should a collision occur, a reduction in the severity of that collision.
“Encourage a change in the way we travel for those shorter everyday journeys to reduce our carbon footprint and promote healthier lives. Improve our communities by lowering speeds in the places we live and grow.”