Increase Scottish HGV speed limits - RHA

Stifling HGV speed limits puts Scotland at an economic disadvantage, the RHA has told media.

We are calling on the Scottish Government to increase the speed limit for lorries over 7.5 tonnes from 40mph to 50mph, and to publish the findings of the 2021 national speed management review.

Policy Director for Scotland, Martin Reid, told The Scotsman that increasing speed limits would reduce the number of risky overtaking by other drivers, reduce emissions, and bring economic benefits from faster delivery times.

Martin reiterated to STV how a higher speed limit would benefit all road users:

A 2017 report commissioned by Transport Scotland found that the number of fatal and serious collisions on the road between Perth and Inverness reduced by 10 per cent, following a speed increase.

A further report commissioned by the UK Department for Transport in 2020 found increasing the HGV limit to 50mph in England and Wales saw “no evidence” of a change in collisions involving HGVs.

Martin told The Scotsman, “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.”

He continues that hauliers in Scotland are at a “competitive disadvantage” compared to those in England and Wales due to the differing speed limits….

“Having HGVs driving at up to 50mph on Scotland’s ‘A’ roads would be of benefit to everyone in the country, and it should be implemented as soon as possible.”

“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.

A spokesman for Transport Scotland told The Scotsman that the Government are “undertaking a national speed management review, as set out in Scotland’s road safety framework to 2030.”

“The review covers comprehensive analysis of all types of speed management policies (including HGV speed limits) and initiatives in Scotland as well as a review of what has been introduced in other countries throughout the world.

“The review will consider what appropriate speeds mean within a Scottish context and recommend changes to national speed limits accordingly.”