THE speed limit in residential areas would be cut from 30 to 20mph under Scottish Green plans to reduce deaths and injuries on the road.
The party has announced it will introduce legislation at Holyrood on the issue within months.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell said his members Bill, the first from his party since last year’s election, was aimed at ending the “postcode lottery” of road safety in Scotland.
The Greens published a breakdown of 20mph zones currently in operation showing a huge variation between local authorities.
In Clackmannanshire all residential streets are 20mph, as are most in Edinburgh, with another 810 zones planned. However North Ayrshire Council has only four 20mph zones and Falkirk has none.
Many 20mph zones only take effect near schools at drop-off and pick-up times.
Mr Ruskell said: “Children and the elderly are being put at unnecessary risk of injury and death by our failure to deliver consistent speed reduction where people live.
“With lower speed limits, you hugely increase the chance of surviving after being hit by a car. By making 20 rather than 30 the default, we can make built-up streets safer. New legislation is needed to make it easier for Councils to reduce speed limits consistently."
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