Proposed 10mph urban and 20mph single carriageway limits
Discussion
The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has proposed a major reduction in urban speed limits, calling for a 10mph speed limit cap on roads near schools, hospitals, and busy venues to protect vulnerable road users.
The charity argues that drastically slower speeds in pedestrian-heavy areas could significantly reduce the risk of fatal and serious collisions. It recommends implementing the 10mph limit in areas with a high presence of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists, such as near social, sporting, or cultural venues.
The RSF also suggests reducing the speed limit on single carriageways and country roads to 20mph – a third of the current default speed. The proposals are intended to help achieve ‘Vision Zero’, the long-term aim of eliminating all road deaths and serious injuries.
https://www.driving.org/charity-call-for-10mph-spe...
The charity argues that drastically slower speeds in pedestrian-heavy areas could significantly reduce the risk of fatal and serious collisions. It recommends implementing the 10mph limit in areas with a high presence of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists, such as near social, sporting, or cultural venues.
The RSF also suggests reducing the speed limit on single carriageways and country roads to 20mph – a third of the current default speed. The proposals are intended to help achieve ‘Vision Zero’, the long-term aim of eliminating all road deaths and serious injuries.
https://www.driving.org/charity-call-for-10mph-spe...
They can propose what they like, but it takes politicians to actually implement things and change laws. And with the blanket 20mph (in built up) limit in Wales being so poorly received, I can't see it happening any time soon.
FFS we have deployable bonnets now. Its time pedestrians got off their phones and took some responsibility for their own safety.
FFS we have deployable bonnets now. Its time pedestrians got off their phones and took some responsibility for their own safety.
bigothunter said:
The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has proposed a major reduction in urban speed limits, calling for a 10mph speed limit cap on roads near schools, hospitals, and busy venues to protect vulnerable road users.
The charity argues that drastically slower speeds in pedestrian-heavy areas could significantly reduce the risk of fatal and serious collisions. It recommends implementing the 10mph limit in areas with a high presence of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists, such as near social, sporting, or cultural venues.
The RSF also suggests reducing the speed limit on single carriageways and country roads to 20mph – a third of the current default speed. The proposals are intended to help achieve ‘Vision Zero’, the long-term aim of eliminating all road deaths and serious injuries.
https://www.driving.org/charity-call-for-10mph-spe...
Will never happen......hopefully The charity argues that drastically slower speeds in pedestrian-heavy areas could significantly reduce the risk of fatal and serious collisions. It recommends implementing the 10mph limit in areas with a high presence of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists, such as near social, sporting, or cultural venues.
The RSF also suggests reducing the speed limit on single carriageways and country roads to 20mph – a third of the current default speed. The proposals are intended to help achieve ‘Vision Zero’, the long-term aim of eliminating all road deaths and serious injuries.
https://www.driving.org/charity-call-for-10mph-spe...
paul_c123 said:
They can propose what they like, but it takes politicians to actually implement things and change laws. And with the blanket 20mph (in built up) limit in Wales being so poorly received, I can't see it happening any time soon.
FFS we have deployable bonnets now. Its time pedestrians got off their phones and took some responsibility for their own safety.
Absolutely, and reintroduce road safety/ green cross code to schools, so kids don't just walk out into the roadFFS we have deployable bonnets now. Its time pedestrians got off their phones and took some responsibility for their own safety.
paul_c123 said:
They can propose what they like, but it takes politicians to actually implement things and change laws. And with the blanket 20mph (in built up) limit in Wales being so poorly received, I can't see it happening any time soon.
FFS we have deployable bonnets now. Its time pedestrians got off their phones and took some responsibility for their own safety.
Plenty of 20mph limits have been introduced across England and Scotland too. Also some English counties have 50mph blanket limit on single carriageway A roads (eg Oxfordshire).FFS we have deployable bonnets now. Its time pedestrians got off their phones and took some responsibility for their own safety.
I suspect 10mph limits will be imposed in high risk areas. Mayor Khan will not want to miss this opportunity. Also blanket 40mph across all single carriageway roads is a distinct possibility. It has already been proposed in parliament.
Vision Zero carries weight and the authorities are serious. We shall see
Where on earth do these people get these ideas from?
Didn't help when they changed the Highway Code in 2022 to give priority to pedestrians not only already crossing, but waiting to cross roads. It means that now, people just walk out without looking as they think the motorist should/will stop for them. Designed to keep pedestrians more safe, but, personally, I think it's putting them at more risk
Being 'old', I always stop and look all ways and, if a car stops and lets me pass, then fine, but otherwise, I wait. I see lots of 'younger' ones just walking along. headphones on or looking at their phones and they just waltz straight over roads without looking or anything.
Didn't help when they changed the Highway Code in 2022 to give priority to pedestrians not only already crossing, but waiting to cross roads. It means that now, people just walk out without looking as they think the motorist should/will stop for them. Designed to keep pedestrians more safe, but, personally, I think it's putting them at more risk
Being 'old', I always stop and look all ways and, if a car stops and lets me pass, then fine, but otherwise, I wait. I see lots of 'younger' ones just walking along. headphones on or looking at their phones and they just waltz straight over roads without looking or anything.
We appear to entering into a surreal world where we have an assortment of pressure groups trying to legislate the country to a stand still, outside of London it's very rare to see anyone sticking to 20 mph in a 20 zone (perhaps at school drop off/pick times) but outside of that if you do 20 watch the cars in front drive away from you and huge tailgating queue form behind you. (that speed limit is held in contempt)
Things need to be speeded up not slowed down, I've done 600 miles over the last 2 days at an average of 38mph and no I wasn't in a HGV, we don't need anymore reductions in the speed limits.
how many collisions and deaths actually occur on these types of roads?
I agree that pedestrians and vulnerable road users need to take some responsibility, too. Accept that accidents happen and slowing everyone down to a snail's pace is not tenable. How far do you take it? A car travelling 10mph can still kill someone. What happens then? 5mph? 2mph? No cars within a mile of the hospital or school?
I agree that pedestrians and vulnerable road users need to take some responsibility, too. Accept that accidents happen and slowing everyone down to a snail's pace is not tenable. How far do you take it? A car travelling 10mph can still kill someone. What happens then? 5mph? 2mph? No cars within a mile of the hospital or school?
As said above. Many younger pedestrians seem to have developed a complete lack of awareness especially as cars are forced to crawl along thanks to draconian rules, like the 20 is plenty.
When I walk I notice that drivers in 20s are not concentrating. They get bored and distracted, and do everything bar looking where they are going.
On my motorbike I have far more cars pulling out in front of me in the 20s now, than in most of my riding for the past 45 years.
And I'll admit that when I'm in my car I am now constantly performing overtakes in towns, cities, built up areas and see many others performing the same.
Keeps me awake.
Stupidly low speed limits will be fine when all cars are automated but to expect humans to rigidly adhere to 20 or 10, is madness.
The road outside my flat has seen more accidents since it became 20 than before.
2 were neighbours. One lady lost her leg when crossing. The constant trains of cars nose to tail at 20 is now making it far harder to cross the road so peds chance it thanks to the lack of perceived risk.
The other had his car written off whilst waiting to turn right. A car coming from the opposite direction hit him head on. The guy was only doing 20 but had completely lost concentration.
I can't do it. It's mind numbing and even the driving god like me starts to fiddle with the damn touchscreen when stuck in these processions. Hence why I overtake.
Being forced to drive at the same speed as bicycles is a daft idea. Cyclists I have spoken to prefer the 30mph limit, as then the car passes with a minimum of time spent in proximity.
Now you see cars overtaking a bike but not wanting to break 20mph thus they are neck and neck for ages.
I personally will overtake a bicycle as quickly as possible even if I break the limit.
A rule that has got me through nearly half a century of motorcycling.
Safety trumps laws!!
When I walk I notice that drivers in 20s are not concentrating. They get bored and distracted, and do everything bar looking where they are going.
On my motorbike I have far more cars pulling out in front of me in the 20s now, than in most of my riding for the past 45 years.
And I'll admit that when I'm in my car I am now constantly performing overtakes in towns, cities, built up areas and see many others performing the same.
Keeps me awake.
Stupidly low speed limits will be fine when all cars are automated but to expect humans to rigidly adhere to 20 or 10, is madness.
The road outside my flat has seen more accidents since it became 20 than before.
2 were neighbours. One lady lost her leg when crossing. The constant trains of cars nose to tail at 20 is now making it far harder to cross the road so peds chance it thanks to the lack of perceived risk.
The other had his car written off whilst waiting to turn right. A car coming from the opposite direction hit him head on. The guy was only doing 20 but had completely lost concentration.
I can't do it. It's mind numbing and even the driving god like me starts to fiddle with the damn touchscreen when stuck in these processions. Hence why I overtake.
Being forced to drive at the same speed as bicycles is a daft idea. Cyclists I have spoken to prefer the 30mph limit, as then the car passes with a minimum of time spent in proximity.
Now you see cars overtaking a bike but not wanting to break 20mph thus they are neck and neck for ages.
I personally will overtake a bicycle as quickly as possible even if I break the limit.
A rule that has got me through nearly half a century of motorcycling.
Safety trumps laws!!
bigothunter said:
The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has proposed a major reduction in urban speed limits, calling for a 10mph speed limit cap on roads near schools, hospitals, and busy venues to protect vulnerable road users.
The charity argues that drastically slower speeds in pedestrian-heavy areas could significantly reduce the risk of fatal and serious collisions. It recommends implementing the 10mph limit in areas with a high presence of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists, such as near social, sporting, or cultural venues.
A sad indictment of the current attitude to speed by the general publicThe charity argues that drastically slower speeds in pedestrian-heavy areas could significantly reduce the risk of fatal and serious collisions. It recommends implementing the 10mph limit in areas with a high presence of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists, such as near social, sporting, or cultural venues.
Fairly recently, an A-road on my commute was reduced to a 50 mph limit.
There appeared to be no consultation, just a change of signage overnight
In the local FB group, there was rejoice - finally this "lethal" road had it's limit reduced.
I questioned this with the members commenting on it - how many major accidents or fatalities had this "lethal" road had in the last 5 years?
None of them knew, but because it was "twisty" it was clearly "lethal" in the dark or in poor weather conditions and 60mph was obviously asking for trouble.
When I gave a link to the local accident stats specifying one minor accident in 5 years and no fatalities, they all went a bit quiet......
bigothunter said:
Also some English counties have 50mph blanket limit on single carriageway A roads (eg Oxfordshire).
This isn't true. For example the A329 between Newington and Stadhampton is signed as NSL, meaning 60:https://maps.app.goo.gl/AKFBPLmVzpYCiRrv6 (image is from June 2023, but I go through there regularly and the NSL is still in place.)
And of course the A4074 (13 Bends of Death) between Cane End and Wallingford:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WsnRCwbuhFfxpu1X6
Edited by Skodillac on Friday 16th May 10:03
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