NO drivers were ticketed for speeding in Edinburgh's new 20mph zone in the first 24 hours after it went live.

Police Scotland confirmed that officers have not yet issued any fines to motorists caught any motorists exceeding the new speed limit since it became operational in the city centre and the west of Edinburgh on Sunday.

A spokesman for the force said: "At this time we have not ticketed anyone for speeding within a 20mph zone."

The speed limit is currently in place in the centre of Edinburgh, South Queensferry, Kirkliston, Ratho, Currie and Balerno, but will be gradually extended to other parts of the capital from the end of February 2017 as Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) come into force on around 80 per cent of the capital's streets.

Pedestrians are seven times less likely to be fatally injured if hit by a car at 20mph compared to 30mph

However, a network of key arterial roads across the city will retain 30mph and 40mph limits.

The move is part of plans to turn Edinburgh into Scotland's first "20mph city", following examples set by a number of English cities including Cambridge, Bristol, Liverpool, Birmingham, and much of inner London.

Council bosses say the measure will make Edinburgh's roads more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly, while boosting footfall for local businesses, although the Institute of Advanced Motorists said speed bumps and narrower roads at speeding blackspots would be more effective than the council's "blanket approach".

Meanwhile, '20's plenty' campaigners urged the Scottish Government to make 20mph the default speed limit for built-up areas, arguing that doing so would save local authorities millions in signage costs.

Rod King, campaign director of 20’s Plenty for Us, said: “People prefer to live, work, shop and exercise on 20mph roads. A Scottish national default 20mph limit is the most cost effective way forward."

Scottish motorists caught speeding could also soon have the option of avoiding a £100 fine and three penalty points by completing a speed-awareness course.

The option is already routinely available to drivers in England and Wales caught doing 35-42mph on 30mph roads or 79-86mph on motorways.

Transport Scotland confirmed that Police Scotland and the Crown Office have been asked to "identify the practical steps needed" to introduces the courses in Scotland.