LGV speed limit on A9 could increase
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THE SPEED limit for LGVs on the A9 in Scotland could be raised to 50mph after the country's transport minister said he was looking at the issue. However, drivers have warned that increasing the speed on just one road could confuse motorists.
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser asked transport minister Keith Brown what progress had been made on raising speed limits for lorries on the A9 as a means to avoid collisions caused by driver frustration. Brown said the idea was being discussed with the Road Haulage Association, and added: "I am looking seriously at the issue. The only evidence that we have so far suggests that the measure might have only a marginal benefit in safety terms.
"However, that is the case if the measure is carried out on its own; there may be things that could be done," said Brown.
LGV driver Matt Downie, who created an e-petition last year calling for an increase to LGV speed limits, warned that concentrating on one stretch of the A9 could confuse people. "They're talking about doing the A9 Perth to Inverness, but not A9 Inverness to Wick. If they plan on doing one A road, then they have to do them all," he said.