Demands for 20mph limits
MOVES to transform Scotland’s streets into 20mph zones would help prevent a “public health crisis”, campaigners say.
It follows news some major roads are in breach of European Union legal safety standards, with plans already under way to slash speed limits across the country in an attempt to reduce emissions.
Sustainable transport charity Transform Scotland said if action was taken to introduce a blanket 20mph limit in town centres and residential streets then police enforcement would be essential “to ensure the law is obeyed and respected by all vehicle drivers”.
It would also have significant “cost-saving benefits” when compared to expensive traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, it said.
The charity Sustrans Scotland, which aims to make it easier for people to walk and cycle, also believes any new limit would lead to an increase in walking and cycling due to improvements to the perception of safety.
The groups have responded to Green MSP Mark Ruskell’s launch of a Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament to introduce 20mph limits across the country to help combat plummeting air quality.
In May, Mr Ruskell said: “I’m not prepared to put my family at risk any more on Scotland’s polluted streets.
“This is a public health crisis, 2,000 people die every year, not just in the First Minister’s city but across Scotland from Perth to Aberdeen.”
The Greens say responses have been “overwhelmingly positive” and of the local authorities that have responded none have opposed it. Shetland, Orkney, Edinburgh, Fife and Glasgow are among those who have been supportive of the bill’s aim.
Edinburgh was among the first to introduce 20mph limits in July 2016, but questions were raised about enforcement when it emerged just 20 speeding tickets had been issued to drivers in the first year.
Police have previously warned there are finite resources and its officers “cannot be the only means” of enforcing speed limits.
Transform Scotland said speed cameras should be used to monitor urban speed limits “where appropriate”.
A spokesman said: “The social and environmental benefits will be overwhelmingly positive.
“There will be some initial financial costs associated with implementing the legislation, but this will be outweighed by the large positive wider economic benefits that would be expected to result.” A consultation is to close on Friday and so far almost 2,000 responses have been received.
Mr Ruskell said: “As a local councillor and as an MSP, I have seen first-hand the frustration of communities that want lower speed limits but find the current process overly-complicated.
“By setting 20mph as the default limit we can end this frustration and provide the clarity that residents and motorists deserve.”