Plans aimed at enhancing road safety performance in Scotland have been revealed.
The Road Safety Framework to 2030 sets out a vision for Scotland to have the best road safety performance in the world by 2030 and a long-term goal where no one is seriously injured or killed on the roads by 2050.
In response to interim figures in 2023 showing an increase in road casualties in Scotland, the Scottish Government has allocated £36m for road safety investment in the 2024/25 financial year. Latest figures in 2024 show that fatal casualties are tracking 26 per cent above the same period last year. In response to this, a package of measures has been announced including:
- A range of national driver behaviour change campaigns, including those targeted at speeding and seat belt use.
- Advancing the use of technology capable of detecting those driving whilst using handheld devices and those not wearing a seat belt.
- Over £4m to support the delivery of projects aimed at reducing pedestrian and cyclist casualties.
- A £10m Road Safety Improvement Fund to support local authorities reduce casualty and risk on the local road network.
The Government has said it will also roll out a pioneering training and education programme, including the development of the world’s first safe system manual for road safety practitioners.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said there would also be a public consultation to explore views on potential changes to national speed limits on Scotland’s roads.
“I want to restate the Scottish Government’s unwavering commitment to achieving its goal of making Scotland’s roads amongst the safest in the world by 2030,” she said. “This comprehensive package of measures over the coming financial year is aimed at helping to deliver this.”
