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Residential and town centre streets which figure high in accident statistics are targeted for 20mph limits(Image: BPM)<\/p>\nEXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Greens argue the law must be changed to ensure a nationwide approach to 20mph speed limits and improve road safety.Residential and town centre streets which figure high in accident statistics are targeted for 20mph limits(Image: BPM)<\/p>\n
Scotland must follow the example of Wales and legally enforce a nationwide 20mph speed limit<\/a> in built-up areas, John Swinney has been urged.<\/p>\n The Scottish Greens believe the law must be changed to ensure a consistent nationwide approach to lowering speed limits.<\/p>\n Local authorities are currently responsible for introducing 20mph zones<\/a> on “appropriate roads” – leading to concerns that drivers face a confusing “postcode lottery”.<\/p>\n The Greens argue the nationwide scheme implemented in Wales has already proved its worth – with around 100 fewer people killed or seriously injured on 20 and 30mph roads.<\/p>\n MSP Mark Ruskell said: “<\/strong>20 mph limits have been hugely successful in Wales, and we want to see the same impact here in Scotland. By rolling out a 20mph default in built-up areas we can decrease road deaths and create safer streets and communities.<\/p>\n It is a simple, cheap and effective measure that can transform our neighbourhoods and make people feel safer when walking, wheeling and cycling.<\/p>\n “The safety of our roads shouldn\u2019t be dependent on our postcode. There are some councils that are doing a great job, but there are others that are badly lagging behind and some who have barely started.<\/p>\n “We either need all councils to step up and live up to their commitments or we need the government to implement national limits to ensure safer communities and save lives.”<\/p>\n St Andrews is one of several towns to already have imposed a 20mph speed limit and many other suburban areas have followed suit.<\/p>\n But the Greens warned progress was considerably slower in other local authority areas like Renfrewshire.<\/p>\n Glasgow is currently rolling-out 20mph speed limits across 3,700 roads across the city.<\/p>\n But the Scottish Police Federation has warned officers will struggle to enforce the new limit due to a lack of personnel.<\/p>\n “What you can\u2019t do is introduce it and think it\u2019s going to increase the police presence within the areas”, SPF general secretary David Kennedy said. “And for anybody who breaks the law, this is not going to stop them from doing that.”<\/p>\n Figures produced by Road Safety Scotland show that 30 peer cent of all car casualties in Scotland in 2022 happened on 30mph roads.<\/p>\n The SNP Government previously scrapped its plan to reduce the speed limit<\/a> on single carriageway roads in Scotland from 60 to 50mph following a massive public backlash<\/a>.<\/p>\n Business groups in the north of Scotland warned the move would harm connectivity between rural communities and put them at a further disadvantage.<\/p>\n More than 19,500 responses were received after Transport Scotland launched a consultation on the issue earlier this year. Nine out of 10 responses disagreed with the claim a reduced speed limit would address the number of casualties on roads.<\/p>\n The Record has asked Transport Scotland for comment.<\/p>\n