20mph zones ‘not making roads safer’

THE spread of 20mph zones across the country has failed to make the roads any safer, according to an official report.

A damning four-year study commissioned by the UK Government has found there has been no significant reduction in accidents in areas where the lower speed limit has been introduced.

It concluded that the average speed has fallen by only 0.7mph in 20mph zones in residential areas and by 0.9mph in such zones in city centres.

Almost half (47 per cent) of drivers are routinely breaking the 20mph limit, with 35 per cent ignoring it in city centres. But this rises to 94 per cent on roads where motorists typically drove faster than 24mph before the new limit was introduced.

Town halls north and south of the Border have spent millions setting up tougher speed limits in an attempt to improve road safety, cut air pollution and boost health by encouraging people to walk and cycle.

But the Department for Transport (DfT) report suggests 20mph zones are having little or no impact on all counts.

Despite this, a new law in Scotland could see their use expanded – with every shopping or residential street that currently has a 30mph speed limit having this cut to 20mph.

A Bill has been published by Green MSP Mark Ruskell, who says he has been told privately by Transport Secretary Michael Matheson that the Scottish Government could support the move. The Restricted Roads (20mph speed limit) Scotland Bill already has the support of 25 MSPs from the SNP, Labour, Lib Dems and the Greens.

It is estimated it would cost up to £22million for councils to replace existing speed signs.

Police, prosecutors, courts and the Scottish Government could also face higher costs. Many towns and cities, including Glasgow and Edinburgh, have expanded the number of 20mph zones, mainly in residential streets and around schools.

The new Bill proposes going further by lowering the limit in all built-up areas unless councils apply for a traffic order to raise it back to 30mph.

The DfT’s findings came from analysis of data from 12 areas. It focused largely on zones where only new speed limit signs had been put up, rather than those with ‘traffic calming’ such as speed bumps.

But in general ‘no significant change in the short term in collisions and casualties’ was found. Drivers said lack of enforcement by police was a key reason so many ignored 20mph limits. The study found there was a ‘widespread view among the public’ that the ‘likelihood of being caught exceeding the limit is very small’.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: ‘We believe that targeted 20mph limits work best on roads where there is an obvious need: outside schools, hospitals or where older and other vulnerable road users are likely to be encountered.’

A DfT spokesman said: ‘The study found 20mph limits have a role to play in improving road safety and, while decisions on speed limits are a matter for councils, it is good to see they are supported by the majority of residents and drivers.’

‘Little likelihood of being caught’ Drivers face speed limit of 20mph in all built-up areas From September 25