Council chiefs and the Government jumped to the defence of 20mph zones this week after the policy was linked to a rise in casualties on the nation’s roads.
Figures published recently by the Department for Transport (DfT) illustrated a steep rise (24%) in the number of people killed and seriously injured on roads carrying 20mph zones.
This was picked up by the mainstream media, which suggested slowing traffic had led to the rise in casualties. The Institute of Advanced Motorists policy director, Neil Greig, weighed in claiming the evidence on 20mph zones was ‘very mixed and contradictory’.
But local transport minister Norman Baker disagreed and cited findings published in the British Medical Journal, which stated carefully implemented 20mph zones do improve safety.
A closer inspection of the figures, showed the rise in casualties on 20mph zones coincided with a 1% fall of KSIs on 30mph roads. While there were 542 additional casualties in 20mph zones, there was 1,254 less on 30mph roads.
Last year, the Government relaxed rules making it easier for councils to roll out 20mphs zones, which prompted authorities nationwide to start reducing speed limits in residential areas.
A DfT spokesman told Surveyor: ‘If the number of 20mph zones increase then the number of accidents in them is likely to go up as a redistribution of accidents that would have occurred in former 30 mph zones. That doesn’t mean the policy is failing.
The Local Government Association (LGA) stressed councils worked tirelessly to promote road safety.
‘That more people were killed or injured in 20mph zones last year is likely a reflection of the fact that more 20mph zones were set up across the country, not a reflection that they are inherently dangerous,’ an LGA spokesman said.
‘Introducing 20mph zones are only part of how councils strive to improve road safety in an area, though there is a clear link between lower speed limits and fewer serious injuries.’
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