Compared to 2013, the number of serious accidents on roads with 20 mph speed limits has increased by over 26 percent in the United Kingdom, while the number of less serious crashes has also increased by 17 percent.
The numbers above come straight from an analysis of government data by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), a British road safety charity with over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland.
“The government and councils need to take stock on the effectiveness of 20mph signs. Recent advice, guidance and relaxation of regulations has all been about making it easier for councils to put 20mph limits in place.” said IAM chief executive Simon Best.
Oddly, in the same period of time there was a decrease in the number of both serious and less serious accidents on roads with 30 and/or 40 mph speed limits.
“More and more roads are being given a 20mph limit but they do not seem to be delivering fewer casualties. The IAM are concerned that this is because simply putting a sign on a road that still looks like a 30mph zone does not change driver behavior.” Simon Best continued.
The main problems obviously reside in the fact that local councils only put the speed limits signs up and nothing else – on roads were until recently it was allowed to drive with 30 mph or faster.
History has taught us that simply putting a “Do not enter” sign isn’t enough to stop someone from entering, so maybe some traffic calming devices would be required, such as the tried and true “sleeping policeman?”
What do you think?
By Alex Oagana
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