Some Scottish roads speed limits to be reduced to 50MPH
Discussion
Firstly my greetings to one and all.
I have been a loiterer/reader/browser for some time and, the distressing news that a number of stretches of road in Scotland are set to be reduced from 60mph limits to 50mph.
http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/transport/doz...
Myself I am focusing on the roads in the Highlands as some very odd decisions appear to have been made. This is especially so for parts of the A87 which pass through populated areas and are to have their limit increased from 40mph to 50mph. One of these areas, at Inverinate, contains the school! Another, going through Breakish has had a number of fatal accidents these past few years whilst a 40MPH limit. Increasing to 50mph is utter lunacy.
More details can be obtained at Traffic Scotland (A87)
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/safety/Sp...
Or the following for a list of all roads listed by area.
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/safety/Sp...
This news is fresh out today so, currently there is no concerted "campaign" against these changes but, well, if a campaign does appear, hopefully some of you wonderful folks will 'sign up'.
Sorry to have my first post such a lengthy one and, in the future, I hope to be able to post on lighter subjects.
Best wishes
Sskye
I have been a loiterer/reader/browser for some time and, the distressing news that a number of stretches of road in Scotland are set to be reduced from 60mph limits to 50mph.
http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/transport/doz...
Myself I am focusing on the roads in the Highlands as some very odd decisions appear to have been made. This is especially so for parts of the A87 which pass through populated areas and are to have their limit increased from 40mph to 50mph. One of these areas, at Inverinate, contains the school! Another, going through Breakish has had a number of fatal accidents these past few years whilst a 40MPH limit. Increasing to 50mph is utter lunacy.
More details can be obtained at Traffic Scotland (A87)
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/safety/Sp...
Or the following for a list of all roads listed by area.
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/safety/Sp...
This news is fresh out today so, currently there is no concerted "campaign" against these changes but, well, if a campaign does appear, hopefully some of you wonderful folks will 'sign up'.
Sorry to have my first post such a lengthy one and, in the future, I hope to be able to post on lighter subjects.
Best wishes
Sskye
A few years ago West Lothian Council made the seemingly arbitrary decision to reduce 60 limits to 50, but refused my request to get the Highway Code reprinted to say "National Speed Limit Except West Lothian".
Their mentality seems to be spreading, at the same time as road deaths are at their lowest for 60 years.
What's the penalty if your number plates fall off? That may be the answer.
Their mentality seems to be spreading, at the same time as road deaths are at their lowest for 60 years.
What's the penalty if your number plates fall off? That may be the answer.
Papa Hotel said:
monthefish said:
the Scotsman article said:
The stretches involved cover up to about 12 miles
Some of the decisions seem totally arbitrary, like a 50mph limit up to the Invergarry viewpoint but not down the other side for instance? Bizarre!
Other parts like the A82 from Onich to Ft Wm, where there are very short straights where you can despatch a mobile home/tour bus will no doubt have a scamera van parked on them just waiting for you... whereas the rest of the road will be almost impossible to reach 50 on mostly never mind 60.
Other parts like the A82 from Onich to Ft Wm, where there are very short straights where you can despatch a mobile home/tour bus will no doubt have a scamera van parked on them just waiting for you... whereas the rest of the road will be almost impossible to reach 50 on mostly never mind 60.
The wording is telling; (paraphrasing) 'people are currently driving slower than the NSL therefore the NSL is too high for this road as they perceive it to be risky'. Or they could just be enjoying the view, or be locals who aren't in a particular rush. To me it sounds like that road's going to be a hotspot for scamera vans, it's the perfect place, a bit like the southern entry to Ullapool.
GordonL said:
Other parts like the A82 from Onich to Ft Wm, where there are very short straights where you can despatch a mobile home/tour bus will no doubt have a scamera van parked on them just waiting for you... whereas the rest of the road will be almost impossible to reach 50 on mostly never mind 60.
Even on a mo'bike that stretch of road is not easy to pass safely on and for the most part of it is double white lines so not an option to pass anyways. Mind you if you get a clean run at it it is an amazing bit of road to ride briskly. Some of the proposed increases are very odd too. A87 Inverinate: 3 sections of road "reviewed" and the one they propose to change is the current 40mph upto 50mph......where the primary school is!
Also, reading traffic Scotland, there is no constancy of data. Some mention accident statistics, some don't. others mention average speeds, some do not.
It is all most odd.
Weekend is almost here so I will trawl through all the Traffic Scotland Highlands roads involved and see what the overall picture is. But, currently, RANDOM seems to be a good word to apply!
Rgds
Sskye
Also, reading traffic Scotland, there is no constancy of data. Some mention accident statistics, some don't. others mention average speeds, some do not.
It is all most odd.
Weekend is almost here so I will trawl through all the Traffic Scotland Highlands roads involved and see what the overall picture is. But, currently, RANDOM seems to be a good word to apply!
Rgds
Sskye
bikerPaul said:
GordonL said:
Other parts like the A82 from Onich to Ft Wm, where there are very short straights where you can despatch a mobile home/tour bus will no doubt have a scamera van parked on them just waiting for you... whereas the rest of the road will be almost impossible to reach 50 on mostly never mind 60.
Even on a mo'bike that stretch of road is not easy to pass safely on and for the most part of it is double white lines so not an option to pass anyways. Mind you if you get a clean run at it it is an amazing bit of road to ride briskly. This is horrible news. 60mph is NOT quick on these roads. These are major arteries for Scotland, bearing in mind that there are no motorways north of the central belt, and few dualled sections of A roads (all of which are to the east). The danger on these roads comes from the clash of 40mph doddlers and those those desperate to get past and get back up to 80 or 90. Neither group is going to be much affected by these reduced limits, but safe drivers doing something resembling the current limit will.
If anything it'll increase problems by decreasing the average speed further below what can be reasonably achieved on these roads. It'll make overtaking a less viable option, therefore creating longer tailbacks and more desperation (and therefore risk taking) for those wanting to make progress. The speed limits on these roads are sparsely policed (although these new limits may change that) and people are used to doing 60+++ on these roads without browning their pants or getting caught speeding, law abiding types sticking to the 50mph limit are going to cause problems through no fault of their own.
Admittedly it is only a few shortish sections, but it is the thin end of the wedge for blanket 50mph limits. Getting freight onto trains where possible and properly policing those who cause tailbacks would make Scottish roads much safer place, not reducing speed limits. The current limit is fine.
If anything it'll increase problems by decreasing the average speed further below what can be reasonably achieved on these roads. It'll make overtaking a less viable option, therefore creating longer tailbacks and more desperation (and therefore risk taking) for those wanting to make progress. The speed limits on these roads are sparsely policed (although these new limits may change that) and people are used to doing 60+++ on these roads without browning their pants or getting caught speeding, law abiding types sticking to the 50mph limit are going to cause problems through no fault of their own.
Admittedly it is only a few shortish sections, but it is the thin end of the wedge for blanket 50mph limits. Getting freight onto trains where possible and properly policing those who cause tailbacks would make Scottish roads much safer place, not reducing speed limits. The current limit is fine.
SouthernSkye said:
Clunkbox.
You hit the nail on the head, these are our "motorways" and these reductions (and in some cases increases) are not required. I would love to get my hands on the full "average speed and road casualty figures" they used for each section of road.
Rgds
Sskye
Then send them a tenner and an FoI request. Channel this distress you're feeling, make a difference.You hit the nail on the head, these are our "motorways" and these reductions (and in some cases increases) are not required. I would love to get my hands on the full "average speed and road casualty figures" they used for each section of road.
Rgds
Sskye
You'd do well to consider that they are not your motorways, maybe the limit is being reduced because of the idiots who drive like they are.
Derbyshire have just about blanket spread the 50 limit, meaning any overtaking is not an option unless you want to break the law. The only stretches that a safe overtake is possible ( and I mean a couple of miles clear view) will have a camera van parked at the end. 
As for Scotland most locals travel at 80/90 on many roads , I have trouble keeping up with the vans in my Turbo
As for Scotland most locals travel at 80/90 on many roads , I have trouble keeping up with the vans in my Turbo
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