A proposal for a bill to replace the current 30mph default speed limit on restricted roads in Scotland with a 20mph limit has received support from road safety charity Brake.

Bill for 20mph zones in Scotland garners support

The member’s bill proposed by Mark Ruskell MSP (Mid Scotland and Fife), which closes for consultations today (15 September), intends to make it easier for local authorities to pursue and implement a 20mph policy and follows the January 2015 publication of the Scottish Government’s Good Practice Guide on 20mph Speed Restriction, which stated that 20mph is the ideal speed limit for residential and built up areas in Scotland.

The Good Practice Guide also highlights a Department for Transport report which found “that the risk of fatal injury to pedestrians rose from under 1% at an impact speed of 20mph to 5.5%, or 1 in 20, at 30mph.”

Commenting on the proposal, Jason Wakeford, Brake’s director of campaigns, said: “A default 20mph limit across built up areas in Scotland offers a golden opportunity to save lives, promote sustainable transport and improve the environment.

“Travelling at lower speeds drastically reduces the risk of death and serious injury and encourages more walking and cycling – relieving pressure on the NHS and other public services.

“We fully support Mark Ruskell’s proposed bill and want to see more urban areas going 20 right across the UK.”