20mph speed limits are saving lives
The 20mph speed limit in Wales is already saving lives, and we must finish the rollout in Scotland as soon as possible, says the Scottish Greens transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell.
New figures from Wales show that the number of serious casualties or fatalities on 20 or 30mph roads has dropped by 23% in the first three months of 2024, after the default 20mph speed limit was introduced.
Mr Ruskell, has led calls for a 20mph speed limit in built up areas across Scotland. In 2018 he brought forward a Members Bill to replace the current 30mph default speed limit on restricted roads with a 20mph limit.
The Bute House Agreement between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government included a commitment for all appropriate roads in built up areas to have a safer speed limit of 20mph by 2025. Mr Ruskell has urged the Scottish Government not to backtrack on that commitment.
Mr Ruskell said: “Lower speeds save lives. There are people who are alive and well today thanks to Wales’ default 20mph limit.
“We need to learn from their experience and replicate its success across Scotland. Fundamentally it’s about safety and making our neighbourhoods more welcoming and accessible for all.
“We have already made really important progress across parts of the country, with life-saving 20 mph defaults becoming more and more common, and it’s crucial that the Scottish Government supports councils to finish the job as soon as possible.
“We all benefit from safer streets, and a default 20mph speed limit in built-up areas is a simple, quick and proven way to reduce road casualties.
“Everyone deserves to live with safety and security, and, alongside the pavement parking ban and Low Emission Zones, 20mph limits are helping us to build cleaner, greener and safer communities.”