A new nationwide speed limit is gaining support from drivers across England. Motorists are backing the rollout of 20mph limits and driving licence restrictions aimed at cutting road deaths, according to recent reports.
Proposed Road Safety Strategy
Under the Labour Party government, a new Road Safety Strategy has been proposed. The Commons Transport Select Committee has examined the strategy, which includes changes to eyesight testing, drink-drive limits, and other measures.
During evidence sessions in Whitehall, road safety campaigners and safety groups warned that the proposals may not go far enough. Ross Moorlock, chief executive of the road safety charity Brake, stated that the proposals "will fall short of reaching those targets."
Call for Default 20mph Limits
Jamie Hassall, executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, highlighted a demand from respondents for 20mph speed limits to become the default in built-up areas across England. He said: "A much cheaper way is to mandate the roads as 20mph and let the local authority, if they want to move it up, give them that ability. Rather than making lowering speed limits the expensive option."
Evidence from Wales
A report from independent transport data consultancy Agilysis found that roads in Wales reduced to 20mph saw only a 2.3mph reduction in speed. Statistics indicated that after one month, drivers were not fully complying with the new limits.
Steve Cole from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents noted that the Welsh changes demonstrated "population level interventions do work." Richard Owen, CEO of Agilysis, added: "The evidence on this smaller sample of roads indicates there is no room for complacency. Although the majority of motorists are sticking to the limit, there will be concerns about the minority who haven't adjusted their speed choices enough."
Owen emphasised the importance of understanding which roads see lower compliance to target education and enforcement effectively. He explained that the industry typically looks at the top 15% (the 85th percentile) to determine where speed management measures like speed bumps or enforcement are needed.
