Scottish government at it again

Nov 11, 2009
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What’s not said is that the proposals out for consultation are also to allow HGV over 7.5 tonnes be limited to 50 mph on A roads as opposed to the present 40 mph. This picks up from experience in England where the increase for HGV limits has not had a detrimental effect. Trials on the A9 have also showed a safety benefit and reduced risky overtaking.

Be interesting to see the outcome. I suppose a blanket reduction for cars on A roads is cheaper than targeted reductions in higher risk areas.
 
Nov 6, 2005
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What’s not said is that the proposals out for consultation are also to allow HGV over 7.5 tonnes be limited to 50 mph on A roads as opposed to the present 40 mph. This picks up from experience in England where the increase for HGV limits has not had a detrimental effect. Trials on the A9 have also showed a safety benefit and reduced risky overtaking.

Be interesting to see the outcome. I suppose a blanket reduction for cars on A roads is cheaper than targeted reductions in higher risk areas.
A 50 limit for cars will extend already long journey times as Scotland has a lot of single-carriageway roads to which this will apply - much of which has been upgraded as the traffic levels don't justify dualling.

I think it'll cause more accidents as cars will be unable to overtake HGVs without speeding, causing more driver frustration and/or suicidal overtakes.
 
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Mar 14, 2005
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So they are thinking of reducing speed from 60 to 50 on major roads. Why don't they just fix the roads.

What has the condition of the roads got to do with legal speed limits? If the roads are that bad they will keep speeds down anyway without the need for reducing the legal limits.

I think it'll cause more accidents as cars will be unable to overtake HGVs without speeding, causing more driver frustration and/or suicidal overtakes.

If everyone is sticking to the same legal limit there's no reason to overtake.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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In my experience travelling on A roads throughout the country if traffic is flowing at 50 mph even in a 60 mph limit the majority of drivers seem content to keep to the speed of the traffic stream. Slower than 50 mph and impatience begins to appear.
 
Nov 6, 2005
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But the drivers that you are referring to are going to overtake anyway, regardless of any speed limit. They don't feel bound by any speed limit, whatever it is.
I think even more drivers will get frustrated and overtake illegally at 50 than do at 60 - I'd love to be wrong but I predict the numbers of Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) will go up if the car limit is reduced.
 
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I think even more drivers will get frustrated and overtake illegally at 50 than do at 60 - I'd love to be wrong but I predict the numbers of Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) will go up if the car limit is reduced.
What had been the outcome on the A9 where I thought 50mph limits had been introduced, albeit it is a well enforced section of road.
 

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