Inverness may not be far behind Edinburgh in imposing a city-wide 20mph limit, if a group of councillors gets its way.
The Scottish capital recently enforced the limit, joining a growing number of European cities to do so.
Decision makers argued that slower speeds “brings many benefits to places and people” by reducing the risk and severity of collisions, as well as encouraging people to walk and cycle – and spend more time in an area.
The move followed three years of research and “public consultation showing a high level of public support”.
Highland Council SNP group deputy leader Richard Laird is the latest north councillor to promote wider limits.
Addressing colleagues at a city committee meeting, he said: “We’ve been waiting three years for a 20mph zone in Merkinch. I’d like to know why it’s taken so long.”
His party colleague Ian Brown agreed.
“In Drakies, we asked for it a number of years ago and were told we couldn’t have it,” he said. “It saves lives, it makes the streets safer, we should be making this a priority.”
Donnie Kerr of the Highland Alliance Group said: “We’re wasting time with pockets of 20mph limits. We’d be far better going for a blanket 20mph, get the signs in pace and be done with.
“What we have is a confusing mish-mash of 20s and 30s all over the place. That just confuses drivers and leads to a lot of problems.”
Liberal Democrat city councillor Kate Stephen told colleagues her constituents often raised the issue.
“There are villages on the outskirts that are desperate for a 20mph limit,” she said.
The idea is gaining momentum. Planning director Stuart Black promised to bring a report on the proposal to the next planning committee.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP and road safety campaigner David Stewart added his support.
“While I accept that it would cause frustration for car drivers and lorry drivers, I do think this is a good thing,” he said.
Cyclists in Inverness have campaigned for some years for a 20mph on all residential roads in the city.
