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Dozens of major roads to have speed limits cut across Scotland
SPEED limits are to be cut on dozens of stretches of major routes across Scotland in an attempt to reduce crashes. A review of the main “A” roads by the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency has recommended cutting maximum speeds by up to 20mph in areas.
The review, ordered six years ago, also proposed some speed-limit increases on other stretches of trunk roads.
The Scottish Government will now go ahead with introducing the speed-limit reductions. Ministers hope to bring in the first of the new limits by the end of the year. However, any speed limit increases are on hold until police checks show drivers are complying with existing maximum speeds.
The government has already ruled out raising motorway speed limits, which were not part of the review, from 70mph to 80mph.
The plans were met with a mixed reaction by motoring groups, with some claiming inconsistencies in the way the review recommendations were being implemented.
The changes affect 44 sections of major A roads, including most main routes between the Central Belt and north and north-east of Scotland, such as the A82, A84/85 and A90.
Cross-Border routes, including the A7, are also covered in the plans.
Most of the decreases involve the normal 60mph limit on rural single- carriageway roads being reduced to 50mph, but there are also planned cuts to lower limits around villages.
The stretches involved cover up to about 12 miles, such as between the Cluanie Inn and Kintail Lodge Hotel on the A87, and on the A83 between Ardrishaig and Tarbert. However, some speed-limit reductions are on shorter stretches in and around villages.
Drivers would also have to slow down on two main bridges, with the limit on the A9 Kessock bridge in Inverness coming down from 70mph to 50mph, and on the Erskine bridge, west of Glasgow, from 60mph to 50mph.
Copyright © Scotsman 2012
Scottish Police launch speeding crackdown
Police in Scotland have launched a new crackdown on speeding drivers.
Officers across the country took part in a day of action targeting those who break speed limits or drive inappropriately for the conditions of the road.
Those who are convicted of speeding or dangerous driving may receive points on their licence or even a driving ban which could affect their future car insurance premiums.
The initiative was organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), which is conducting a series of road safety campaigns this year.
Previous crackdowns have targeted uninsured vehicles, people using their mobile phones behind the wheel, motorists who fail to use seatbelts and those who drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Acpos lead on casualty reduction, Chief Superintendent Derek Robertson, said previous crackdowns this year had caught more than 1,000 motorists speeding and more than 70 driving dangerously or carelessly.
He added: “In each case they were potentially putting their lives and the lives of others at risk – this is unacceptable.
“Speeding carries a minimum penalty of a £60 fine and 3 penalty points on your driving licence. If convicted of dangerous driving, you will lose your licence for at least 12 months and you may be ordered to re-sit your driving test.”
Press Association 2012
Honda recall CR-V cars following electrical fire fears
PROBLEM is only caused if someone spills liquid on a switch in the driver’s door or a large amount of rain water gets on it.
HONDA are recalling 268,000 cars – amid fears that an electrical switch in the driver’s door could melt and cause a fire.
The problem, which affects CR-V models built from 2002 to 2006, has led to four fires but no injuries or crashes, the car makers said.
A Honda spokesman said it’s only a problem if someone spills liquid on to the switch or if a large amount of rain water gets into the car through the driver’s window.
The company will start contacting affected owners next month to arrange for a cover plate to be installed inside the switch free of charge.
Copyright © Daily Record 2012
71% of drivers ‘unaware of limits’
Just over seven tenths (71%) of UK drivers are unaware of the speed limits when tested, a survey has revealed.
Those who did badly in the tests did not know the limit on a rural road, single carriageway, dual carriageway, motorway or a road in a built-up area. But drivers would do well to consider that any ignorance or neglect of speed limits leading to driving too fast can result in a hike in car insurance premiums.
When shown photographs of different roads, 33% of them drivers tested could not identify the 60mph limit for a single carriageway, and just over half (52%) did not know the speed limit on a rural road with no street lights.
The ICM research also revealed that since 2009 almost a tenth (9%) of drivers were caught speeding and 17% of these were caught two or even three times.
Most speeding drivers are caught going over the limit by a few mph but some are caught at breakneck speeds more suited for a Formula One track, said the study.
Drivers have been caught on average going too fast by 8.5mph, and 4% sped by up to 20mph or even more, endangering other motorists as well as themselves.
Copyright © Press Association 2012
Change in the UK speed limits?
It has been reported nationally in the press that the motorway speed limit could be reconsidered for the first time since 1965!
Former Transport Secretary, Phillip Hammond, has recently discussed that there could be economical benefits to increasing the UK ‘s motorway speed limit to 80mph.
It is discussed that whilst Britain’s roads are the safest in Europe, there are other factors to consider when deciding the speed limit, and this is where the re-evaluation will be focussed. In comparison to other countries in Europe, speed limits are already at 80mph, and in Germany some roads have no limit at all!
On the reverse side, 30mph speed limits could be lowered to 20mph in many places, so while you may be able to go much faster on the motorway, driving in towns could become much slower.
As well as safety and economical effects of a change in speed limit, there are environmental impacts too! The most fuel efficient speed of a car can vary depending on make, model and age, but the average speed is usually in the 50s for the most efficient fuel consumption. Therefore a higher speed limit could make driving even more expensive!
With these potential changes looking likely to alter the driving conditions on the motorway, it could be more essential for pupils to complete a pass plus course and get motorway experience.
Please let us know what you think about the proposed speed changes…?
Copyright © Red Driving School 2012
plans for on-the-spot fines for careless driving
Expanding police power to award on-the-spot fines for careless driving is the headline initiative of the government’s latest road safety plan for Scotland, England and Wales.
The initiative is part of the Strategic Framework for Road Safety, released by the Department for Transport.
I’m sorry officer, what exactly am I being fined for?
Police will gain the ability to award careless driving penalties of between £80 to £100 (up from the current fixed penalty fine rate of £60) and three demerit points for cases of undertaking, tailgating and careless merging (‘cutting-up’).
Currently these offences must be referred to the court system for prosecution. The new approach aims to allow police greater discretion in targeting genuinely reckless drivers, and reduce demand on the court system for relatively minor offences.
A spokesman for the Department for Transport (DfT) said, ‘The strategy will focus on cracking down on the really reckless drivers through more efficient enforcement.
By giving the police the tools to deal with those who present the greatest danger to others we can make our roads even safer.’ The legal definitions of careless driving, and the boundary between careless driving and dangerous driving will not change.