CIVILIAN PACE CARS
Doncaster residents urged to slow up traffic
In a novel scheme to reduce accidents, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council has come up with the somewhat novel idea of 'pace cars'.
It's asking residents to register with them and pledge that they will never exceed speed limits. Those participating in the scheme will be given stickers for their cars highlighting their participation as a "Community Pace Car Driver".
Although noble in its intent, it's a plan that many consider misguided. The DMBC website claims:
"By driving within the speed limit you will be performing a mobile traffic calming role, keeping the overall speed of traffic following you at the speed limit. Lower speeds mean that in the event of a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian or cyclist, the severity of any injury sustained will be lessened. Lower vehicle speeds also mean that drivers are more able to stop in emergency situations."
The need for such as scheme is obviously borne out of drivers not respecting the limits and holding such drivers up may simply fact result in more frustration and lack of awareness from drivers being held up.
Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign said: "Road safety depends on drivers adjusting their speed to the hazard environment. This vital behaviour is being gradually, inexorably and dangerously replaced with a 'driving by numbers' approach."
He continued, "Speed limits are a useful minor part of road safety. They are not a panacea. Modern policy has promoted them way beyond their level of competence from useful servant to cruel and incompetent master. As a nation we are becoming obsessed with speed limits - and that's a very bad thing."
