Coming to a road near you?
More research needs to done before the Government rolls out 20mph zones across the country, the RAC Foundation has warned. Ministers are on the verge of implementing a 20mph speed limits in virtually every residential area in the country.
However the RAC Foundation believes that speed is only a small factor in accidents and urges the Government to think before it rolls out 20mph zones. Elizabeth Dainton, Research Development Manager from the RAC Foundation told a one day conference at Aston University on speed management today that the Government should not race ahead of understanding, local considerations and public acceptance.
A paper by the foundation finds that 95% of pedestrian casualties happen on built up areas with speed limits under 40mph but driver behaviour, which includes speed, is a factor in just 26% of these accidents. Failing to look is the biggest cause of collisions and Ms Dainton therefore argues that driver training and education are as important as reducing speed when it comes to improving UK casualty figures.
The foundation does agree that 20mph zones can reduce casualties but said there are limitations to their overall use. These limitations, said Ms Dainton, include low levels of traffic police to enforce the limits and a possible public backlash against the scheme.
'Reducing road casualties in the UK must remain a priority, and speed limits as well as 20mph zones have an important role to play,’ she added. 'It does not follow that 20mph zones should be implemented in residential areas without adequate consideration being given to local circumstances and public opinion. One-size fits all policies are rarely successful. 20mph zones are no different.'