Newly released government statistics have revealed a concerning trend: roads with a 20mph speed limit are recording more serious accidents annually than the nation's fastest motorways and dual carriageways.
The Data Behind the Headlines
According to the official Transport Scotland road casualties report for 2024, which analysed the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, the figures are stark. On roads where the limit is 20mph, there was an annual average of 176 serious casualties. This compares to an average of 139 serious casualties per year on roads with a 70mph limit, which include motorways and dual carriageways.
The breakdown of the annual averages from 2020-2024 shows:
- 20mph roads: 6 fatalities, 550 total casualties (176 serious).
- 30mph roads: 32 fatalities, 2,176 total casualties (676 serious).
- 70mph roads: 15 fatalities, 567 total casualties (139 serious).
Political Reaction and Policy Scrutiny
The data has prompted immediate calls for the Scottish Government to reassess its approach to rolling out 20mph zones. Scottish Tory transport spokesman Sue Webber led the criticism, stating the figures confirm the SNP's "one-size-fits-all" policy is failing.
"This is all too typical of the SNP who arrogantly believe they know best and have pressed ahead without considering the impact it will have on motorists and wider road safety," Webber said. She urged SNP ministers to look again at the policy, warning they would otherwise be "responsible for more serious incidents occurring on our roads."
The controversy comes after ministers previously abandoned plans to lower the speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60mph to 50mph following public opposition.
Expert Views and Government Defence
The motoring organisation the AA has argued that 20mph limits should be targeted rather than overused. They recommend restricting them to areas with a clear need, such as outside schools, hospitals, and transport hubs, suggesting that blanket application dilutes their effectiveness and driver compliance.
In response, a Scottish Government spokesman defended the policy, emphasising that reducing speed is a key pillar of their road safety strategy. They cited research indicating a person is seven times more likely to survive being hit by a car at 20mph compared to 30mph.
"To be clear, there is no blanket approach to 20mph delivery," the spokesman stated. "Instead we work with roads authorities to identify appropriate roads using nationally agreed criteria." The government maintains it only supports implementing the limits "where it is appropriate to do so."
The debate is set to intensify as road safety campaigners, politicians, and motorists digest the latest official figures, which challenge assumptions about the direct correlation between lower speed limits and reduced serious accident rates.
