Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, has raised concerns that imposing a blanket 20mph speed limit would actually increase the risk to children. Harper argues that drivers are less likely to comply with lower speed limits in areas where a lower speed is not necessary for safety reasons. In response, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that it will review guidance on the use of 20mph limits in England to prevent their blanket use in inappropriate areas.
Labour-run Welsh Government drops default speed limit to 20mph
The DfT's decision comes after the Labour-run Welsh Government reduced the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph for restricted roads. The Welsh Government believes that this move could save up to 100 lives and 20,000 casualties in the first decade. However, Harper contends that the 20mph limit has been imposed on some roads in Wales without considering the relevant conditions, which ultimately reduces the effectiveness of such limits in making roads safer.
20mph limits make sense in certain areas, but not as a blanket imposition
Harper clarified that the government supports the use of 20mph speed limits in areas such as outside schools or heavily built-up residential areas where there may be vulnerable road users, like children. However, he emphasized the need to avoid blanket imposition of 20mph limits, as seen in Wales, where they may not be appropriate or effective. A study commissioned by the DfT in 2018 found that reducing speed limits to 20mph does not significantly impact driver speeds, and there is no evidence of a substantial decrease in the number of crashes and casualties in residential areas with 20mph limits.
Government announces pro-driving policies ahead of Tory conference
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a series of pro-driving policies ahead of the Tory conference in Manchester, including stronger guidance on 20mph speed limits. The government also plans to address issues concerning low traffic neighbourhoods, bus lanes, motorcycle usage, and parking. While these measures aim to improve drivers' experiences on the road, critics argue that they should also consider the needs of other road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders.
Labour criticizes announcement as "yet another ban on something that doesn't exist"
Louise Haigh, Labour's shadow transport secretary, criticized the announcement, stating that it is "yet another ban on something that doesn't exist." Haigh argues that Harper cannot provide a single example of a 20mph zone that will be affected by the new guidance. The RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams, appreciates the government's focus on drivers' needs but also urges the consideration of competing priorities, including safety, traffic congestion, and air quality.
