Majority of motorists ignoring 20mph zones

MORE than eight in 10 drivers ignore 20mph speed limits, statistics suggest.

Figures released by the Department for Transport (DFT) show that 81 per cent of cars break the limit, with 15 per cent travelling at more than 30mph.

Motoring groups have said that the low limit zones should only be imposed where they are supported by local communities, but that many were not being consulted beforehand.

The figures appear to undermine the findings of a poll commissioned by road safety charity Brake, which indicated that only 52 per cent of drivers break the 20mph limit.

Limits of 20mph have been in place in the UK since 1991, with 250 introduced by 2000. The law was liberalised to let local highway authorities impose limits.

Many 20mph zones now come with speed humps. But last year the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said they should be removed after a study found that drivers slowing down and speeding up resulted in notably more harmful emissions.

England has experienced a recent expansion of 20mph limits, with several authorities adopting them as a default limit for residential streets.

A DFT spokesman said: “Research shows that 20mph zones in the right areas can save lives … it is for councils to set speed limits in their area and police to decide how best to enforce them.”

Luke Bosdet, a spokesman for the AA, said: “The problem is [the] kneejerk reaction to have these zones everywhere. If local residents want them, they should get them, but the big question is whether they are being consulted.”