Get up to speed
Cutting the speed limit to 20mph in Scotland’s towns and cities could result in up to 755 fewer injuries a year – with savings of up to almost £40 million possible, according to research by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health.
The logic being used is that speed kills, therefore for every one mph reduction, the number of deaths should in theory reduce also. This is flawed logic, which only politicians could believe.
Francis Ferguson
Absolute complete and utter rubbish. All 20mph limits do is increase pollution and encourage dangerous overtaking and tailgating. In any case, they are widely ignored so nobody can draw any conclusions from them.
Alastair Browne
Does this research take into account the potential for higher emissions, or are there any separate studies on this subject? If emissions are no different then I am all for the lower speed limit. However, if they are higher they would contribute to a far greater death toll.
Thomas Lusk
Make everyone walk – that’s obesity and road deaths sorted . . . It’s just that it’s impractical and won’t ever happen.
Jimi Marshall
Research shows that fines will go up drastically and the money to the courts will never be seen.
Ian Stewart
You’ve got to be joking! Why not have a man walking in front of the car with a white flag!
George Harrison
If the SNP ever made 20mph the law for town driving it would be the end of them. It would be their poll tax.
Stuart Smith
Stop obese people eating excessively, force them to do more exercise we would save billions. If MSPS want to continue to nanny the public then pick a topic that would benefit more and save more.
Colin Henderson
Carry on John
Education Secretary John Swinney has urged schools to continue with controversial tests for primary one pupils despite being dealt a defeat in the Scottish Parliament.
I think the tests could be an essential way of finding a baseline. My kid would have seen it as a quiz, not a test or a stress. Give teachers credit, they could easily do this in a way that puts no pressure on children. There’s no pass of fail, just a clearer idea of where we are.
Nicky Hamilton-smith
It’s actually the teaching profession who’re fighting this, as they understand standardised assessments have no educational value.
Lorna Shiels
45 years in education. 45 years a parent. Now a grandparent. The tests are flawed and not needed. No matter which party pushed this policy I would be opposed.
Kathleen Weetman
Another fine example of Mr Swinney ignoring teachers’ and other expert advice to push ahead his agenda regardless of the negative impact on learners..
Mark Wilson
Whatever the merits, good or bad, for these “assessments”, the real question is, has democracy, and the sovereignty of the Scottish Parliament, and therefore the people of Scotland, been done a disservice by John Swinney’s reaction to the vote?
Give it up son.
Sandra Stow
Stevie Lewis
Davidson’s ‘done’
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson says she is “done” with social media sites, saying she was tired of the foul abuse hurled at her.
People are voicing their opinion, which is what social media is for. If she’s finding it tough on that she will never make it to the First Minister’s chair. In politics you have
to have thick skin. Crying at what people say about you won’t work, it just makes you look weak.
Robert Spiers
Social media attracts the extremists, the unheard and the fanatics. It’s a real pity as it’s such a great way to positively challenge and support views and approaches. Another sad reflection on how we use it.
Jim Shanley
A public servant paid a fortune who regularly updates public social media profiles, yet refuses to answer any criticism or questions. Ignore trolls for sure, but to use social media as a one-way ticket is poor. You’d think she had something to hide.
Jonathon Fowler
It’s the same with every other politician but poor wee Ruth.
John Cummings
No answer to being challenged, more like. Maybe she’ll have time to actually hold a surgery now.
Mike Lavin