Education is needed on the 20mph limit

MANY drivers will have seen speed limits in built-up areas switching from 30mph to 20mph in recent years but now more of our roads could be going that way.

However questions are being raised about how effective the cutting of speed limits is when, more often than not, speed cameras are needed to ensure drivers are not speeding – and there is the associated cost of implementing them all.

Of course, making our roads safer is a key factor but the issue raises the question of whether drivers should be better educated in the first place, knowing exactly where they stand with the speed limit within any given area.

In July, MSs voted in favour of 20mph replacing 30mph on most built-up roads in Wales, with 30mph retained only with roadspecific justification. The plan is to switch the default to 20mph in April 2023 to make streets safer and encourage more people to walk or cycle.

However, research for the UK Government in 2018 confirmed most drivers exceed 20mph limits in the absence of enforcement.

Therefore surely the key is to educate drivers and move away from a culture of costly speed cameras having to populate roads where 20mph limits are in place.

As the road safety campaign GoSafe argues: “Enforcement is always the last option. Engineering and education must be considered first.”

Walking, cycling and commuting in a greener way were amplified during lockdown and many argue it is something that needs to be at the top of the agenda going forward.

Having traffic move at slower speeds on our roads, of course, brings greater safety for all. For cyclists and pedestrians, including children and the elderly, it makes the journey safer.

However we cannot forget what lower speed limits will do for the transport network, with the argument being made they will lead to longer journey times, plus impact on the need for repairs as traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps risk damaging suspensions. The same has been argued for home delivery vans – a service which has rocketed during the pandemic.

There is a balancing act between getting drivers to stick to the limit and keeping the costs of enforcement measures manageable if 30mph zones are to be replaced in most built-up areas within the next three years. Education will aid this but ultimately the responsibility to adhere falls on all drivers’ shoulders, for the sake of all.