20mph Speed Limit - Does Anyone Really Believe...?

Question

...this is really aimed at saving more lives and not just a cynical attempt to catch more people speeding thereby bringing in more revenue through fines? Do Labour think we are all stupid?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7046200.stm

Speed limits in many towns and cities should be reduced to 20mph, say the government's road safety advisers.

Their report claims a default speed of 20mph in built-up areas will help halve the number of deaths on Britain's roads within the next few years.

The study also called for greater enforcement of 20mph zones through a new generation of speed cameras.

Answer 1

I do believe that most of these new initiatives are designed
to either make more money for Brown & Co., or to divert our attention away from more important matters.

If everybody is going to drive at 20mph, the car manufacturers
will have to change the cars engines and gearboxes.
A normal car,driven at 20mph will be in second gear for most of it's life. Apart from guzzling petrol (More money for Brown & Co.) and in consequence, producing huge ammounts of CO2, the cars life will be considerably shortened.

I am in favour of 20mph in the vicinity of schools as the sign alerts drivers to children. If the same speed limit was in force
everywhere, the school sign would lose it's impact. Drivers
would also get complacent and not give their full attention to the road.

Answer 2

The problem with Cities and Towns is you will always get People suddenly darting across Roads. The situation is compounded by parked Cars, and when you get Children coming and going to School it is even worse . A lot of the time they do not cross at the designated areas where the Lollypop Person is ,and they suddenly give a mad dash across the Road. We have the same Problem in Ireland and they are bringing the Speed limit down to I think it is 30 Kilometres which is 20 miles an hour in Cities and Towns. In the rush Hour in Morning and Evening Traffic is at Crawling Pace anyway on our main Roads and the Smell of Noxious Fumes from Petrol and Diesel fill the Air. I think it is a Good Idea it makes our Streets Safer but it must be bad for Environment because of increased Pollution.

Answer 3

This is the same discussion they had in Australia about 5 years ago to introduce school zone, slowing cars down to 20kph (16mph) in the vicinity directly near a school on a main road between the peak school hours (830-930am & 300pm-430pm Mon-Fri - some difference state-by-state, but generally the same).

These are enforced with state of the art cameras above signs in the zone (and they are VERY effective), and you get hit with a fine up to A$1,589 / £740 and disqualified for 2-3yrs... OOOCH!

There has been some sucess with the reduction in the numbers of accidents fatalities in these areas, but the debate about effetive enforcement and what is `fair` for motorist and school kids rages on.

In short, it WILL be effective, but HOW it is executed is a matter of considerable debate.

Just ask any parent who has had to bury a child at an accident (school or not) and see if they think its a "...a cynical attempt to catch more people speeding thereby bringing in more revenue through fines?"

Cheers - Brad M

Answer 4

This is an extremely dangerous thing to do.If you are to stick to this speed where it applies,then your eyes will not be on the road as much as they should be,you will constantly be checking your speed.The heavy goods industry many years ago had speed control systems developed that would ensure the driver never got done for speeding.I used the various systems many times on various trucks.With these systems installed ,you could set the speed of the vehicle using a dash control,the vehicle would not exceed the limit set until it was manually tripped out.You could then keep your attention on the road where it belongs,it saved a lot of money in fines and also points loss.These systems should be fitted to all vehicles,just select the speed you want and relax.

Answer 5

In Portsmouth they are already implementing this, the signs are up and the roads painted!

Wouldn't it just be easier to make sure the kids are taught how to use the roads properly?

Edit: I'd happily drive at 20mph on a school road.
One small problem with that too though, it gives the children a false sense of security, they will think that a car the same distance away is going faster than it is and end up taking unnecessary risks.

Answer 6

Unforunately the 20mph speed zones are only preaching to the converted which are the drivers that drivew safely anyway, speed limits mean nothing at all to boy races and idiots, I have seen it all the time in the area that I live.

Answer 7

You have seen the commercials on TV about the little girl getting run over just think if you reduce your speed when your near schools or in built up areas thats one less child getting killed on our roads. You have to obey the speed limit anyway I don't see the point in speeding anyway speed limits are their for your safety as well as others.

Answer 8

Depends on your state. Some states have basic speed laws that set the speed limit unless otherwise posted for specific road types. For example, in California the speed limit on residential streets is 25 MPH unless otherwise posted. "and speed limits that do not conform to drivers habits....????" - Sorry, you have that one backwards. Drivers habits are to conform with the speed limits, not the other way around. "If I take my foot off the pedals, from a stop, my vehicle will go past 15mph..." - Sounds like you need to use your break then. That is what it is for.

Answer 9

this is the only time i agree with them on speed laws all schools and areas with children in should be set to a 20mph speed limit only a complete and utter moron would speed where there is children.
you are right to suspicious though the labour government penalise the driver at every turn with taxes and speeding fines.
well said heather.

Answer 10

I think this is a complex question.

It has been proved many times (and surely it's just common sense) that, if you hit someone with your car, the slower you're going when it happens, the greater the chance that victim will surive (and let's not just concentrate on children here).

Yes, people SHOULD be more responsible when using the roads (motorists and pedestrians alike) and yes, parents MUST teach their children good road sense (hey, it's not the schools' job, it's YOURS).

And, of course, any extra revenue from fines will be very welcome!