Road Safety

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Overview

Transport Scotland has three road safety teams - the Road Safety Policy team, Road Safety Scotland, and the Strategic Road Safety team

Road safety policy

The road safety policy team is responsible for helping to ensure the delivery of the commitments contained in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030, in partnership with other key stakeholders.

To aid this delivery Transport Scotland set up a Strategic Partnership Board (SPB), Operational Partnership Group (OPG) and Local Partnership Forum’s (LPF’s) with representation from a variety of organisation’s with a vested interest in road safety.

Minutes of meetings

The SPB, OPG and LPF’s meet bi-annually to consider a range of evidence based road safety policies and interventions with all minutes published online.

SPB meeting minutes

OPG meeting minutes

Road Safety Framework Local Partnership Forum - North

Road Safety Framework Local Partnership Forum - West

Road Safety Framework Local Partnership Forum - East

Road Safety Framework Motorcycle Focus Group

Road Safety Evidence

Evidence reports produced by or for road safety policy:

Road Safety Interventions

The Seat Belts on School Transport (Scotland) Act 2017

The Act imposes a duty upon school authorities to ensure dedicated school transport services, have a seat belt fitted to each passenger seat. The act came into force on the 1 August 2018 for vehicles carrying primary pupils and in 2021 for those transporting secondary students.

The Act imposed a duty on Scottish ministers to publish national Seat Belts on School Transport (Scotland) Act 2017 – Guidance.

Devolution of powers to set national speed limits

The Scotland Act 2016 saw a welcomed devolution of the last remaining powers over speed limits; notably the 30 mph default urban limit as well as powers on signage and engineering under the Traffic Signs Regulation and General Directions. 

Drink-driving

On 5 December 2014, legislation came into effect lowering the drink-driving limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, with equivalent changes to the limits in breath or urine.  This brought Scotland into line with the majority of other European countries and Scotland is now firmly leading the way across the UK.

20 mph zones and limits

The Scottish Government is committed to reducing risk on Scotland’s roads and recognises the impact of vehicle speed so in conjunction with the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland, the Good Practice Guide on 20mph speed restrictions was produced. The Guide aims to ensure greater consistency on setting 20mph speed restrictions throughout Scotland and encourages Local Authorities to introduce them near schools, in residential zones and in other areas where there is a significant volume of pedestrian and/or cyclist activity.

Road Safety Annual Report

Scotland’s road safety achievements are summarised in an Annual Report.

Road Safety Framework to 2030

Road Safety Framework to 2020

Strategic road safety

Our strategic network road safety team is responsible for monitoring the safety performance of the trunk road network as well as analysing injury accident data.  From this work, the team takes remedial measures to reduce or eradicate identified accident types at specific sites.  We carry out audits on new constructions and installations and consider new technologies such as improved road material and roadside furniture.

Scotland's motorways and trunk road network represent only 6% of all Scotland’s roads.  This network carries 37% of all traffic and accounts for 16% of all injuries related to road accidents.

Strategic Road Safety Plan

The Strategic Road Safety Plan sets out how Transport Scotland delivers road safety on the trunk road network.  We have taken the opportunity to update the Road Safety Plan and to refocus our work on further reducing the numbers of accidents and casualties on our Trunk Roads.

This refreshed Plan reinforces our use of a Safe System approach within the road transport system.  This approach is centred on the premise that death and injury is unacceptable and that they are avoidable.  This refresh builds upon that approach to more clearly address risk mitigation and focus particular efforts on addressing the safety of vulnerable road users.

It includes an Action Plan aligned with the five pillars of the Safe System approach and identifies how the work of Transport Scotland’s Strategic Road Safety Unit will contribute to the Government’s casualty reduction targets for 2020.

The Scottish Safety Camera Programme also plays a key role in helping to make Scotland's roads safer.

The Road Safety Framework and Funding

The Road Safety Framework to 2030 has the vision for Scotland to have the best road safety performance in the world.

Five Strategic Outcomes

The framework sets out five strategic outcomes which describe the road safety environment it aims to deliver. These outcomes align with the five components of the Safe System:

  • Safe Road Use
  • Safe Vehicles
  • Safe Speeds
  • Safe Roads and Roadsides
  • Post-crash Response

It introduces a comprehensive performance management system which will help us gain a much clearer understanding of the different issues influencing overall safety performance, and monitor delivery of the framework more effectively.

The Road Safety Framework and Evaluation Fund

Applications to the Road Safety Framework and Evaluation fund are currently closed. Please check back again for updates.

Road Safety Framework initiatives

Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 is Scotland’s national road safety plan. The Framework sets out road safety casualty targets which aim to deliver the outcome of safer road travel in Scotland for all.

The following projects have received match funding from the Road Safety Framework Fund:

Living Streets - Road Safety Measures/Audits from 2014-2019

Period: 2022/23

Location: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth & Kinross, Dumfries & Galloway, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Fife, East Dunbartonshire

The project independently reviewed sixteen street audits delivered by Living Streets Scotland since 2014. While there are sixteen projects included in the evaluation, six had two audits resulting in twenty-two Community street audits and School route audits.

RoSPA - Destination Drive

Period: 2018/19

Location: Throughout Scotland

With Scotland’s ageing population and an increasing number of older drivers on our roads, the challenge is to enable older people to drive safely for as long as possible.

The Destination Drive project will aim to encourage older drivers to review their current driver ability, their individual driving skills and relevant health issues, such as eyesight and cognitive skills to ensure their driving ability is safe for all road users.

Drivewise Borders and Fife

Period: 2018/19

Location: Borders and Fife

This project aims to provide a tri – pronged approach in an effort to reduce serious and fatal road accidents in the Scottish Borders and Fife. To deliver educational opportunities to the most vulnerable road users in the area through structured programmes of direct action and the promotion of positive attitudes.

Rider Refinement North

Period: 2018/19

Location: North and North East of Scotland.

The aim of this project is to reduce the high number of motorcycle casualties in the North and North East of Scotland by delivering a bespoke defensive rider training package aimed at improving rider skills and enhancing safety. Roadside hazards will be gathered and passed to the Roads Authority for investigation, contributing to the Safe Systems approach. The project is multi-agency initiative delivered across the North and North-east of Scotland supported by the respective Road and Community Safety Groups.

Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance

Period: 2018/19

Location: Various

This project aims to provide a unique facility for small to medium sized businesses in Scotland to implement, manage and access occupational road risk. It also aims to encourage joint working and raise awareness in organisations of the need for action on work related road safety, promote the exchange of information and best practise, and encourage the introduction of technology within fleet users to regulate and recognise the risk posed by speeding.

Drivewise Borders

Period: 2017/18

Location: Scottish Borders

Drivewise, is designed to reduce the number of casualties on the roads while positively influencing the attitudes and behaviours of drivers and passengers in the Scottish Borders. Combining practical and theoretical training for pre, new and mature drivers; Drivewise sets out to address a gap in driver education.

Living Streets - Lower Speed Communities Project

Period: 2017/18

Location: Lossiemouth, Moniaive, Mount Florida in Glasgow, TillyDrone in Aberdeen and Inverness.

Living Streets worked with local authorities, community organisations, residents, hard to reach groups and other interest groups to support and develop the role all stakeholders could play in introducing and realising the benefits from lower speed limits.

Cycling Scotland

Period: 2017/18

Location: Throughout Scotland

Practical Cycle Awareness Training courses aim is to develop safer driving practices and promote greater awareness of vulnerable road users including people cycling to ultimately promote safer driving behaviours and attitudes. The course is specifically designed for candidates with a provisional licence preparing for their driving test.

Community Speed Watch

Period: 2017/18

Location: Glasgow

The programme aims to raise awareness of road safety, the issue of speeding and inappropriate speed within communities, especially around schools. Valuable information and data gathered will investigate the links between road safety and disadvantaged children and those in ethnic minority groups.

Dri-VR – A new perspective on road safety

Period: 2017/18 (ongoing)

Location: Glasgow

Safety Cameras Scotland will provide and deliver an educational resource for 16-18 year olds (S5-S6), to demonstrate road safety consequences as a result of undesirable behavioural choices i.e. distraction, speeding.

Scottish Biker Magazine (SBM)

Period: 2016/17

Location: Argyll and Bute

The overall aim of the project is to provide resources to all motorcyclists to help improve their knowledge, behaviours and skills, thus contribute towards a reduction in motorcyclist casualty rates.

Evaluations

Trunk Road Incident Support Service

Transport Scotland provides the Trunk Road Incident Support Service (TRISS) to help deal with incidents on our trunk roads.

TRISS is a patrol service provided by Transport Scotland since 2005 as part of our ITS (Intelligent Transport System) Action Plan.

Six TRISS vehicles pro-actively patrol our motorways and trunk roads, dealing with incidents and supporting the emergency services in clearing incidents. The service operates seven days a week between the morning and evening peaks.

TRISS is provided by Operating Companies as part of their contract with Transport Scotland. Coverage currently includes:

  • M8
  • M73
  • M74
  • A725
  • M80
  • M77
  • A720
  • A1
  • M9
  • M90
  • A92
  • A823(M)
  • A985.

Triss aims to:

  • improve journey time reliability by managing and reducing the impact of disruption caused by incidents on motorways and trunk roads
  • improve safety and security for travellers by early identification and removal of incidents, resulting in a reduction of secondary accidents
  • occasionally help at major sporting events to minimise the impact of event-related congestion.

Typically, this involves making incidents safe by deploying temporary traffic management and clearing hazardous debris from traffic lanes to relieve congestion. Where possible, TRISS will make repairs to damaged parts of our trunk roads and offer assistance to broken down vehicles.

Road works

In the UK, around 2,200 road accidents involving injuries happen in the vicinity of road works every year, some involving those working on the road.

Road workers are there to ensure the roads are properly maintained and improved. Their job is naturally dangerous, working on busy roads during the day and night to improve the roads while keeping them open.

When motorists speed through road works to save a few seconds, they are putting the lives of road workers at risk. Drive with caution, respect road workers and abide by the set speed limit.

Resources

Transport Scotland and the Highways Agency worked together to produce videos, posters and postcard-treatments to highlight the need to respect road workers.

You can watch the videos below or visit the Highways Agency website for access to the other resources.

A9 Safety Plan

The A9 trunk road is the main route that connects central Scotland and the Highlands.

It stretches from Dunblane, situated north of Stirling, and travels north bypassing Perth and Inverness before finishing in Thurso.

The route is made up of single and dual carriageways with varying speed limits.

It carries a broad mix of road users comprising local drivers, commuters, freight transport and tourist traffic.

The A9 Safety Plan is managed by the A9 Safety Group.

This multi-agency group was set up by Transport Scotland in July 2012 to work closely together with partners to reduce road casualties on the route.

The main aim of the A9 Safety Group before and during the A9 dualling programme is to explore measures which could be introduced on the route using engineering, enforcement, education and encouragement to positively influence driver behaviour in a way that helps reduce road casualties. 

Road Safety Scotland

Road Safety Scotland (RSS) helps to deliver many of the commitments in the Road Safety Framework and is directly responsible for the development of road safety education materials which provide an end-to-end education and training programme in road safety starting from early years and continuing throughout the school curriculum and beyond.  These resources are provided free of charge and many are supported by websites.

In collaboration with the Scottish Government Marketing Team, RSS also develops large-scale social marketing campaigns to tackle a variety of important areas of concern in Scotland, such as drink-driving, country roads and parental influence.  Campaign activity can be found on the RSS website.

Speed Limit Review

The Speed Limit Review recommendations were published in 2012, setting out Transport Scotland’s intention to reduce the speed limit across 44 sections of the trunk road network to improve road safety. Details of the Review, including its purpose, the assessment methodology, the roads reviewed and outcomes reported at that time can be found on the National Web Archive.

Speed management in towns and villages

Pilot 20 MPH Speed Limits

Background

The Scottish Government aims to promote the safe and efficient use of the roads it is responsible for. Where these pass through towns and villages, there are frequently competing pressures between their strategic purpose, and community interests relating to safety and amenity.

The promotion of the pilot 20 mph limits proposed for the trunk road network is intended to support road safety generally, but target safety benefits for vulnerable road users in particular. This is reflected in the selection criteria for the pilot areas.

There have been a number of calls for lower speed limits and specifically 20 mph limits in some towns and villages on the trunk road network. These were included in the wider list of potential candidate sites considered. Sites were also identified for consideration on the basis of the evidence of safety issues that may be addressed by a locally reduced speed limit.

The proposed pilot focuses on the use of 20 mph limits where there is an evidence led criteria, specifically:

  • Personal Injury Accidents particularly those involving vulnerable road users
  • Vehicle speeds – not being significantly above an average of 24 mph
  • Traffic volumes
  • Vehicle composition including the HGV proportion of total traffic volume
  • Road Environment including layout, key buildings and social amenities

The pilot sites should not require significant engineering or Police enforcement to support their operation. There will be many situations across the country where the introduction of a 20 mph limit would require more extensive and expensive engineering to force vehicle speeds to drop.

Typically, more heavily engineered speed reductions are not appropriate for the strategic network, given the use of these for Emergency vehicles, HGVs and other large vehicles and the adverse impacts associated with traffic calming heavily trafficked routes. Any such proposals should be considered separately and as part of our wider approach to speed management.

Pilot Sites

We have engaged with communities and wider stakeholders in taking forward the pilot speed limit proposals by holding public exhibitions within each of the towns and villages. The extents of each of the speed limits can be viewed by clicking the links below and if you have any comments on our proposals then please email strategicroadsafety@transport.gov.scot

Biggar
Langholm
Largs
Maybole
Oban

Transport Scotland are working with Argyll and Bute Council who also promoted their intention to extend 20 mph zones on their road network in Oban.   

Next Steps

The next stage is to formally promote the orders for the proposed changes through the traffic regulation order statutory process.

What other sites were considered?

A number of sites were considered across Scotland. In addition to the 5 successful sites, consideration was given to sites at: Keith; Nairn; Inveraray; Golspie; Callander; Springholm; Crocketford; Aberlour; and Cromdale.

Why are those sites not being taken forward?

Evidence indicated that the use of 20mph limits in these areas would be ineffective or impractical. Transport Scotland are now considering whether alternative road safety methods can be identified at these sites. These may include additional signing lining or the measures, but, in each case, it will be important to consider what is possible and likely to be effective.

Why are you not implementing a 20mph limit at Keith?

The assessment in Keith indicated that the road characteristics, in particular the width of the A96, and current traffic speed do not support the use of a self-enforcing 20 mph limit. Transport Scotland is committed to undertaking a route accident reduction plan (RARP) in 2014 and this will include consideration of issues in Keith.

Why are you not implementing a 20mph limit at Nairn?

As is the case with Nairn, the assessment in Nairn indicated that the road characteristics, in particular the width of the A96, and current traffic speed do not support the use of a self-enforcing 20 mph limit. The A96 RARP will also include Nairn.

Why are you not implementing a 20mph limit at Inveraray?

The numbers of recorded vulnerable road user accidents was low. As the key objective of the proposed 20 mph limits is to improve safety for vulnerable road users and, this low number indicates there is no case for reducing the speed limit.

Why are you not implementing a 20mph limit at Golspie?

For the period of the assessment, there were no recorded vulnerable road user accidents. The key objective of the proposed 20 mph limits is to improve safety for vulnerable road users and, in this instance, there is no case for reducing the speed limit.

Why are you not implementing a 20mph limit at Callander?

The numbers of recorded vulnerable road user accidents was low. The key objective of the proposed 20 mph limits is to improve safety for vulnerable road users and, given the low numbers of accidents recorded, there is no case for reducing the speed limit to improve safety.

Why are you not implementing a 20mph limit at Springholm?

For the period of the assessment, there were no recorded vulnerable road user accidents. In addition, the nature of the carriageway does not support the use of a self-enforcing 20mph speed limit. The key objective of the proposed 20 mph limits is to improve safety for vulnerable road users and, in this instance, there is no case for reducing the speed limit.

Why are you not implementing a 20mph limit at Crocketford?

As with Springholm, for the period of the assessment, there were no recorded vulnerable road user accidents. In addition, the nature of the carriageway does not support the use of a self-enforcing 20mph speed limit. The key objective of the proposed 20 mph limits is to improve safety for vulnerable road users and, in this instance, there is no case for reducing the speed limit.

Why are you not implementing a 20mph limit at Aberlour?

During the assessment period, there were no recorded vulnerable road user accidents in Aberlour. The key objective of the proposed 20 mph limits is to improve safety for vulnerable road users and, in this instance, there is no case for reducing the speed limit.

Why are you not implementing a 20mph limit at Cromdale?

For the period of the assessment, there were no recorded vulnerable road user accidents. The key objective of the proposed 20 mph limits is to improve safety for vulnerable road users and, in this instance, there is no case for reducing the speed limit.

Is Transport Scotland doing any other work related to 20mph limits?

Transport Scotland are working with SCOTS (The Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland) to develop guidance for local authorities on implementing 20 mph limits and zones on local roads. This guidance will aim to provide greater clarity around what local authorities can and cannot do and set out the circumstances in which an application needs to be made to Scottish Ministers.

Will you be delivering any other 20mph limits on the trunk road network?

There are no current proposals for additional sites at this time. We will monitor the sites where we deliver reduced speed limits and assess their effectiveness before deciding how best to proceed. We will consider how to improve safety and speed compliance in towns and villages and across the Trunk Road generally, through the actions stemming from our road safety plan.

What else are you doing to manage speed in towns and villages?

We are working with communities across Scotland in terms of the specific issues that exist in their area. We are also updating our road safety plan, which will include consideration of how best to manage speed appropriately across the diverse range of conditions we meet on our roads.  It will be updated during the course of 2014.

A9 - North Kessock to Tore study

Case for change report

Background

We've appointed WSP as Engineering Consultants to assess and report on the current safety and operational functionality of the North Kessock to Tore stretch of the A9.

This process will follow four key stages guided by the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance process:

  • Pre-Appraisal (the Case for Change)
  • Part 1 Appraisal (Preliminary Appraisal)
  • Part 2 Appraisal (Detailed Appraisal)
  • Post Appraisal

Map of study area

Map showing study area - A9 North Kessock to ToreView map in more detail

We're currently in the Pre-Appraisal stage of this process. WSP will be engaging at a very high-level with stakeholders and reviewing all data relating to the suitability of this stretch of road to meet current and future demands on the road. If you have specific issues you would like to raise, individuals should be represented by their community councils or business communities respectively.

Before establishing whether any intervention is necessary, we need to find out if there is a justifiable case for public investment, and present a Case for Change using a robust, evidence-led and transparent process to ensure any future investment is justified. If a ‘Case for Change’ is established, we would then very much welcome the individual views of the public, landowners and businesses in a wider public consultation as a matter of course.

Over the next few months, once we've established concerns and issues, taking full account of all data available, we'll review and establish transport planning objectives which will shape any potential future intervention on this stretch of the A9.

This page will be updated throughout this study but if you need more information before then, please email us at A9-North-Kessock-to-Tore-Study@WSP.com.