The Road Haulage Association (RHA), the member-led trade association supporting people and businesses in the road transport industry, today calls on the Scottish Government to recognise the evidence in favour of a 50mph speed limit for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on Scottish trunk roads, rather than the current 40mph.
Despite years of research, reports and consultation, the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland are yet to align the “A” road speed limit for lorries over 7.5 tonnes to that in the rest of Great Britain.
During this week’s National Lorry Week, the RHA will highlight the success of the ongoing 50mph trial on the A9, together with the evidence of benefits in England and Wales, which moved to a 50mph limit in 2015.
The RHA believes there would be three main benefits of a 50mph limit in Scotland: a reduction in risky overtaking by other drivers, reduced emissions as a result of more efficient fuel consumption, and economic benefits derived from faster journeys (see notes to editors for more information).
Martin Reid, Policy Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the Road Haulage Association, said:
“The trial on the A9 shows that when the speed limit for HGVs is closer to that for cars, it reduces the likelihood of risky overtaking. We also know that lorries use less fuel and create fewer emissions when they can drive at 50mph, and hauliers will tell you that if journeys take less time, they create savings which can be passed on to customers.
“Currently, hauliers in Scotland face a competitive disadvantage compared to those operating in England and Wales because of the 40mph speed limit on Scotland’s trunk roads.
“In 2021, Transport Scotland announced it would conduct a National Speed Management Review, in part to look at this 50mph question. The review was to be done in 2021/22 and followed by a consultation. Since then, the timings have slipped again and again. We can’t understand why it’s taken so long to publish the results, hold the consultation and make the change.
“Having Heavy Goods Vehicles driving at up to 50mph on Scotland’s “A” roads would be of benefit to everyone across the country, and it should be implemented as soon as possible.”
Road Safety Manager at IAM Roadsmart Stewart Mackie said:
“As an organisation that champions safer roads in the UK, IAM Roadsmart believes that government policy should reflect the evidence. The report on England and Wales’ move to allow Heavy Goods Vehicles to drive at up to 50 miles per hour on “A” roads concludes that the change from 40mph has not had a detrimental impact on safety along single carriageway roads.
“Analysis of the three year trial done on the A9 suggests that the move to a 50mph limit for Heavy Goods Vehicles on single carriageway stretches has actually reduced collisions, fatalities and casualties from incidents involving HGVs.
“Both reports also suggest there’s a lower likelihood of risky overtaking manoeuvres when the speeds of HGVs are more closely aligned to those of other vehicles”
