Speed limit plan is worthy of debate

The issue of 20mph zones always sparks lively debate. Yesterday, road safety charity Brake threw its weight behind Green Party plans for the introduction of blanket 20mph zones across all of Scotland’s urban and residential streets.

According to MSP Mark Ruskell the move would save lives, a claim Brake is keen to endorse.

The charity states the proposal provides a “golden opportunity”, citing the fact that speed was a factor in 19% of fatal crashes in Scotland in 2015.

But would a change in the default limit from 30 to 20 work in practice?

A previous Department for Transport study carried out in England found the vast majority of drivers ignore 20mph zones.

In fact a total of 81% of drivers flouted the limit, with 15% travelling above 30mph and 1% driving at 40mph or above.

Such findings, however, have not stopped councils all over Britain from implementing 20mph zones, particularly outside schools and other educational institutions.

Scottish transport minister Humza Yousaf has met the Greens to discuss their Bill and has pledged to consider the results of an associated consultation.

It will certainly be a talking point and can only help to raise awareness of speeding.

Creating such pause for thought is no bad thing, regardless of whether or not it leads to concrete action.