Motoring: Is the 20mph speed limit coming our way?

On September 17 this year new legislation will come into force in Wales when the maximum speed you can legally travel on restricted roads will be 20 mph. Restricted roads are classed as 'roads with streetlights spaced no more than 200 yards apart usually located in residential and built-up areas'.
Generally, they are also busy pedestrian streets and this will affect most 30 mph roads but not all. Some 30 mph roads are not restricted roads and will remain at 30mph and will be signed.

Road safety professionals are in agreement 20 mph is the safe speed limit for places where motorised traffic is in close proximity to people walking and cycling. One half of the 5570 hurt in collisions in Wales occurred on 30 mph roads and 40 per cent of the 1131 killed or seriously injured also happened in 30 mph zones. With 20 mph limits being introduced research claims this could result in £58 million of savings over 30 years due to reduced hospital treatment visits and the emergency services needed.

Unlikely to come to England? Already some stretches of road in five London boroughs have had 20 mph limits introduced with a roll-out planned that in 2024 will incorporate about 125 miles of London’s roads.

However, Rishi Sunak’s government is considering a crackdown on councils imposing 20 mph speed limits in the PM’s latest attempt to prove he is 'on the side' of motorists. Cynics will say this is as a result of the Conservatives unexpected victory in the Uxbridge and Ruislip by-election because of concerns with the expansion of Sadiq Khan’s ultra-low emission zones (ULEZ).

The RAC cautioned that default 20 mph zones bring with them requirements for enormous behavioural change, explaining: "Every single person who took their driving test in this country was taught that it is 30 mph in a built-up area. If you are going to change that don’t underestimate the extent to which you are going to have to make sure you’ve told them whether by signs, advertising or news coverage.”

Speed limit compliance for 20 mph roads is almost non-existent with Government data showing 87 per cent of cars exceeded them when traffic in the area is free-flowing compared with 49 per cent compliance for 30 mph roads. Norfolk’s police and crime commissioner has sparked comment after saying many of the county’s 20 mph speed limits will never lead to speeding drivers being taken to court. The number of 20 mph limits has increased greatly in recent years, with Swaffham due to become Norfolk’s first 20 mph town. However, the most recent published data shows there have been no prosecutions in Norfolk of motorist speeding in 20 mph areas.

If this is to become law across the whole of England there is some necessary work to be carried out if it is to work at its most effective.