Scottish fleets are to begin trials of intelligent speed adaptation (ISA) technology as part of a new 10-year road safety strategy that has the ultimate goal of cutting road deaths in Scotland to zero.

A pilot of the ISA devices, which restrict a vehicle’s speed so it cannot exceed the limit using satellite tracking and an onboard computer, is expected to begin in Scotland by the end of 2010.

Details of which fleets will be selected and the length of the trials have not yet been finalised.

Following the trials, any fleets adopting ISA technology would do so on a voluntary basis as a change in legislation by Westminster would be needed to make its use mandatory.

Transport for London is undertaking similar ISA trails in London (Fleet News, May 14), with a view to selling the technology on as well as introducing it across its fleet.

Now Scotland is looking at the technology after the new road safety strategy proposed that ISA devices could be effective in reducing road casualties there.

It is the first time Scotland will have its own road safety targets - the toughest in the UK - that aim to reduce the number of serious injuries on its roads by half and the number of fatalities by 40% over the next decade.

However, Scotland’s transport minister Stewart Stevenson said that these were interim targets, with his ultimate vision being no road fatalities in Scotland.

A similar zero-death philosophy has proven effective in other countries such as Sweden.
Other measures include 20mph zones, additional action to reduce young driver crashes and greater restrictions on newly qualified drivers.

Scotland is also calling for legislative powers to be handed over to the Scottish Government so it can reduce the drink drive limit and introduce random breath testing.