The number of accidents in 20mph speed limit saw an increase by more than a quarter in 2013. One motoring body said that just putting 20mph signs on the road is not enough to save lives. The figures released by Department for Transport show casualties in 20mph zones rose with serious casualties rising by 29 per cent and minor casualties up by 19 per cent.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is calling for more to be done to change the look of 20mph roads rather than just putting up new signs. IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “The Government and councils must take stock on the effectiveness of 20mph signs. In locations with accident problems, authorities need to spend more on changing the character of our roads so 20mph is obvious, self-enforcing and causes fewer injuries.”
The IAM also pointed to the long-term investment strategy which is in operation in Europe and creates high-quality segregated or shared surfaces that have led to a safer environment for both cyclists and pedestrians.
These new figures come after the Transport Secretary said recently that there’ll be no motorway speed limit cut to 60mph. The plans to enforce 60mph speed limits on several new smart motorways to help reduce pollution have been rejected by the Government.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has told the Highways Agency to find fresh ways to improve air quality in the three zones rather than lowering the speed limit. The Highways Agency now has 18 months to come up with an alternative to its planned 7am to 7pm, seven day a week “go slow” on the new smart motorways being developed on the M1 in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire and the M3 in Surrey.
