Proposal to cut speed limit for cars ‘demonises’ drivers, Fiona Hyslop told
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has been accused of trying to “demonise” drivers with a consultation on reducing speed limits for motorists.
Tory MSP Alexander Burnett hit out at Ms Hyslop as his party launched a new campaign calling on the Scottish Government to stop its “war on motorists”.
It comes after the Transport Secretary announced proposals in November which could see the national speed limit for most vehicles on single carriageway roads cut from 60mph to 50pmh – although the limit for HGVs weighing more than 7.5 tonnes could be increased from 40mph to 50mph.
While a consultation on the change is due to run until March 5, Mr Burnett hit out at the Scottish Government and said: “These plans do nothing more than demonise motorists in rural areas who rely on using a car.”
He added: “Rather than taking action to protect drivers, SNP ministers seem intent on punishing them to make up for their own failures to fix the roads.”
The West Aberdeenshire MSP accused the Scottish Government of having “neglected” roads in his constituency, citing the failure to dual the A96 road between Aberdeen and Inverness.
Mr Burnett added that cutting the speed limit could also “place massive strain on the police” in the area.
Calling for action, the Conservative said: “Fiona Hyslop should scrap these plans and finally deliver the road upgrades that motorists across the North East have been waiting so long for.
“I would urge people to join the Scottish Conservatives’ campaign to say no to 50mph national speed limits and send the strongest possible message to the SNP government.”
When the consultation was announced Ms Hyslop said there was evidence the changes could “lead to a significant reduction in the number of injury collisions on our roads” without reducing journey times.
While she called for a “wide range of voices” to take part in the consultation, the Transport Secretary added: “We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many.”
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
