BackUrgent action needed on speed limits
New speed limit guidance welcome, but Living Streets calls for immediate action
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:
“We welcome the publication of draft guidance for local authorities on speed limits- which make the case for slower speeds to make our streets and rural roads safer. There is now overwhelming evidence on the benefits of 20mph limits where we live, work and play. We are disappointed though that the draft guidance does not go far enough, and signals that the forthcoming road safety strategy will not change the national framework in favour of 20mph.
“We are all pedestrians at some point during the day, and all of us want to feel safe moving about our streets. Traffic speed is the major factor in serious injuries and deaths, and slower speeds mean safer and more civilised streets for everyone. While good progress has been made on reducing road casualties across the UK, no one should be satisfied when the equivalent of 60 classrooms full of children were seriously injured or killed on our roads last year.
“Already there is evidence that reducing the default speed limit works, with a reduction in the number of casualties in Portsmouth since its implementation, and strong signals that 20mph limits can have a major impact on roads where average speeds are currently significantly higher than 20mph. We remain concerned that the draft guidance retains an exemption for ‘major through routes’: we see no reason why people living on such streets should be denied the great benefits of 20 mph.
“Reducing motor traffic speeds on our streets is the single biggest measure which will make them safe and vibrant places. There is no doubt that a national default limit of 20mph will save lives, but more than that, slower moving traffic will allow us all to enjoy our streets as social spaces, not just corridors for traffic. Although we welcome the call for local authorities to introduce 20ph “over time”, we believe there is a clear and urgent need to move quickly to save lives.”
Published on: 01/01/2010
