20mph residential speed limit call

The Scottish Government has been urged to lower the speed limit in residential areas to 20mph to save lives.

A total of 25 organisations from the fields of active travel, health, child advocacy, poverty and environmental interests have written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

They have called on her administration to “seize the opportunity” to support the Safer Streets Bill, which is cur- rently being scrutinised in the Scottish Parliament.

Lower speed limits, particularly 20mph in urban areas, save lives and are proven to reduce the number and severity of injuries on the road, they said.

The groups added Scotland needs to lead, as it did in banning smoking in public places and reducing the alcohol limit for drinking and driving, and the Bill offers “the best chance of safer, fairer roads”.

Adrian Davis, Professor of Transport and Health at Edin- burgh Napier University, said: “There is strong evidence that 20mph limits have had a positive impact on public health where they have been introduced.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We share the view that 20mph speed limits are a good idea when implemented in the right environment. However, we believe that more evidence and further consideration needs to be given to the impact and consequences of a nationwide default 20mph limit.”