Hopes for reduction in motorcycle accidents in Scottish beauty spots
A new speed limit is being introduced in the south of Scotland this week, with four roads in the area being trialled as part of the project.
The scheme, which will run for the next 18 months, will see lower speed limits of 50mph enforced on four routes: the A7 north of Galashiels, the B6357 from Carter Bar, the A708 from Moffat to Selkirk and the A6088 from Kielder to Bonchester Bridge.
The aim of the pilot, which came into effect on Monday 7th of April, is to improve road safety for all but in particular for motorcycle users for whom this part of Scotland is a popular destination for touring.
The pilot lower speed limit is a joint initiative between Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Police Scotland, and is backed by Transport Scotland’s Road Safety Improvement Fund which supports efforts to improve safety on our roads. Through this fund, Transport Scotland has allocated a total of £10 million to local authorities to finance projects including updated speed management measures, carriageway improvements, and dedicated traffic calming areas across the country.
Motorcycle accident data for Scotland
Scotland has long been attractive to motorcyclists wishing to tour areas of stunning natural beauty. However, according to statistics, travelling by motorbike has proven to be disproportionately more dangerous on our roads than travelling via any other form of transport.
Motorcyclists are significantly more exposed to sustaining serious or fatal injuries in road traffic accidents. A recent Transport Scotland report showed that in the five years up to 2023, motorcyclists accounted for 16% of fatalities on Scottish roads but only 1% of the overall traffic, making them more likely to be injured or killed on Scottish roads than other road users. In one third of the reported motorcycle collisions in this period, the bike was the only vehicle involved.
How will the new speed limit in Scotland be enforced?
There have been previous attempts to reduce the number of motorbike accidents on Scottish roads, including patrols by unmarked police motorcycles, and it is hoped that the introduction of the new speed limit in the Borders will help towards decreasing this statistic in line with Transport Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030.
New signage depicting the 50mph speed limit will be introduced at regular intervals along the proposed routes. Average Speed Cameras are not currently included in the 18-month plan to encourage drivers and motorcyclists to monitor a responsible speed on the four non-trunk roads.
The new speed limit came into effect just hours after a 58-year-old motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of a single vehicle collision on the B6357, near Saughtree.
Of the new speed limit trial, head of dispute resolution at Watermans, John Dillon, said
“The intention to help protect those who are most vulnerable on the road, which includes motorcyclists, should be seen as a positive development. Whilst the introduction of a lower speed limit on its own is a step in the right direction, the effectiveness can only be measured in hindsight and at the end of the 18-month pilot period. This will be from comparing accident statistics before and after the pilots’ implementation and specifically looking at the number of accidents and injuries involving motorcyclists, which we hope will be greatly reduced by the lower speed limit.”
John added
“It would appear that Average Speed Cameras are not going to be used as part of the trial. If deployed, these would certainly have a positive impact in reducing the number of collisions resulting in injury. I do believe that strong enforcement of the new speed limits will be required to ensure the aims of Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Police Scotland are to be achieved. Whilst the deployment of Average Speed Cameras may come at an additional cost on these roads, their benefit in helping to reduce collisions, limit injuries and save lives cannot be undervalued.”