The SNP could slash the speed limit on single carriageway roads to 50mph in controversial new plans.
A consultation on the change, which would see the limit dropped from 60mph to 50mph for cars, is now live.
It comes as The Press and Journal reported the 2030 completion date for the A96 dualling between Aberdeen and Dundee could be delayed by years.
Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop is due to give a statement at Holyrood today on the progress of the project, which is expected to reveal lengthy delays.
The speed limit proposals have drawn fierce criticism from a number of angles, but have been backed by hauliers who would see the speed limit for lorries raised from 40mph to 50mph.
Martin Reid, the Road Haulage Association director for Scotland, told The Times: “The Scottish Government should be commended for consulting on the change to HGV speed limits.”
Mr Reid said a trial of the change on the A9 between Inverness and Perth had boosted safety as there had been a drop in "risky overtaking".
Sue Webber, the Scottish Conservatives’ transport spokeswoman, was less supportive of the plans. She said: “If the SNP had kept their promises to upgrade and dual key roads, they wouldn’t need to consider more limitations on drivers. The SNP are only trying to slow down drivers because they’ve been so slow to deliver vital infrastructure projects across Scotland.”
The Tory MSP added: “More restrictions is not what most people want to see. It’s another example of how detached the Scottish parliament has become from the real world."
Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This consultation on proposed changes to speed limits is part of our record £36million investment in road safety this financial year. Evidence from the national speed management review indicates that revising speed limits could lead to a significant reduction in the number of injury collisions on our roads while maintaining journey times and enhancing journey time reliability.”