BackCalling for 20mph in Scotland
Living Streets Scotland are calling on MSPs to use their new powers over speed limits to cut the speed limit on streets where we live, work and play to 20mph.
The Scottish Parliament is to gain new powers over drink-driving and speed limits as a result of the Scotland Bill proposed in the Queen’s Speech. Living Streets Scotland’s Keith Irving said it was a ‘chance not to be missed’ to potentially save the lives of up to 40 people every year and reduce injuries to over 2,500 people, especially nearly 800 children, by cutting the speed of vehicles to 20mph:
“nearly 200 kids, enough to fill 10 classrooms, are seriously injured or killed when walking on our streets every year. We now have a chance not to be missed to reduce that toll on children and their families.” 1
The expansion of 20mph is one of the key calls in the Living Streets Scotland manifesto for the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections. The manifesto also urges the use of new powers to cut the drink driving limit from 80 to 50 mg/100ml, in line with the rest of Europe and for the removal of car parking from all school playgrounds.
Launching the manifesto, Keith Irving, Living Streets Scotland manager said:
“Whoever forms the Scottish Government after 2011 will face massive challenges- spending going through the floor, carbon emissions going through the roof and an obesity epidemic. Creating living streets can help tackle these challenges in an affordable fashion and reduce Scotland’s appalling health inequalities.
“Scotland has the highest obesity levels and lowest life expectancy in Western Europe. We must enable physical activity such as walking to be part of everyday life to help tackle this scandal. We want to see more children walking to school, more adults walking to get around and more pensioners walking to maintain their health.
“The new powers offer a chance not to be missed to cut the speed limit on streets where we live, work and play to 20mph. Nearly 800 children and 1,500 adults are injured as pedestrians on streets in our villages, towns and cities every year while over 40 people are killed. Cutting vehicle speeds as well as the drink driving limit could help reduce this toll of injury and death on our roads and help us re-claim our streets.
“Our manifesto lays out how Government can act to achieve this, while supporting the local economy, tackling congestion and improving everyone’s quality of life and we urge MSPs to sign up to these policies.”
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets, said:
“Our three policy priorities are to expand 20mph in our villages, towns and cities, increase the number of children walking to school and change the design of our streets to enable walking to be part of everyday life. We’re calling on all political parties to take these issues seriously and include these policies in their manifestos to put people first.”
Read our manifesto here
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. There were 2,595 pedestrian casualties recorded in 2008 in Scotland:
• 95% of pedestrian casualties occurred on built-up roads (2,471 out of 2,595).
• 832 child pedestrian casualties (it is not recorded how many were on built up roads but it is assumed that at least 95% were on built-up roads).
• Of child pedestrian casualties, 191 were killed or seriously injured (4 died).
• 150 child pedal cycle casualties, including 18 serious injuries and 2 fatalities.
• 43 pedestrians were killed on built up roads (17 were killed on non-built up roads)
• Source: Scottish Government; Statistical Bulletin: Transport Series: Key 2008 Road Casualty Statistics. Publication date: June 22, 2009
2. A pedestrian hit at 20mph has a 97% chance of survival. As speeds increase that chance falls steeply, and by 35mph half of all pedestrians hit will lose their lives (Source: Department for Transport; Speed: Know your Limits; 2004)
3. The Queen’s Speech committed the Government to implement the Calman Commission recommendations:
“My Government will introduce legislation to implement recommendations from the Final Report of the Commission on Scottish Devolution.”
4. Living Streets is the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. With our supporters we campaign to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk.
Throughout our 80 year history we have ensured a national voice for pedestrians. In the early years, our campaigning led to the introduction of the driving test, pedestrian crossings and 30mph speed limits. Since then our ambition has grown. We provide specialist consultancy, insight and knowledge to decision makers and professionals to help reduce congestion and carbon emissions, improve public health, and make sure every community can enjoy vibrant streets and public spaces. We believe that together we can bring our streets to life.
Living Streets work in Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government.
Published on: 15/06/2010
