20mph speed limit?
From:
Lindsey Doyle
Date:
Sep 05 17:59 UTC
Short link
I think some of you are missing the point.
I for one am not saying that reducing the speed limit reduces the number of
accidents. If a driver is not paying proper attention, or is not driving
properly or a pedestrian (especially a child) behaves irresponsibly then there
could well be an accident. The only advantage of lower speeds in this context
is that the driver may have longer to react - irrespective of "blame".
The point is that if a pedestrian does get hit by a car then the chances of
survival are greater at 20 than 30 than 40. I know that you can reduce this ad
absurdum to suggest that the optimum speed for cars is 5mph or less, but it
seems to me that in residential areas - whatever the classification of the road
- that 20mph is a good compromise.
Incidentally, if one blots one's copybook and gets a speeding ticket and is
allowed to opt for a 'driver education' session then the key message that's
hammered home is that people have a much better chance of survival when the car
is being driven at or below the speed limit. The point is made with pretty
graphic photographs and video clips. Coincidentally, I was talking to two
people last night who've both been through one of these courses. Both said that
the experience was very salutary.
Oh, and before any suggests I'm anti-car, I couldn't do my job without a car.
I'm also a pedestrian and a cyclist.
.