speed limit to 20

[swallowthree]

To agree with people who want to reduce the speed limit to 20 in built up areas. Given the number of lives it could save, I think its a no brainer - isn't it ? Who could possibly object and why ?

I think it is a great idea.

One that is in force in the town where I live (US)

I think no matter what the speed limit is people will still spead... However what would be better is proper crossings if people are using crossing rather than just walking out into a road that will be safer.. If people where finned for parking on the pavement so people did not have to walk in the road and drivers could see the road properly that would be safer..

Driving at 20 does not stop someone being on their phone, picking their nose and just not paying attention.. plus on certain roads they are putting the limit from 70 to 80 so hardly goes with the whole dropping the limit

If it was reduced to 10mph, even more lives would be saved.

Earlier today I was driving through a village nearby and didnt notice until in the High Street that they had 20mph signs, I have never seen it before. It made a big difference to the flow and congestion, in a good way. This was the same road by brother was run over on, admittedly in a more powerful car it probably means going into 2nd gear but agree with you would save a lot of bad injuries.

Irrespective of the speed limit you will still get children crossing the road without looking.

agree with chattymummy, we need more road crossings, lolipop people and safer routes for children, think the plans for these got shelved once the tories got in not surprisingly

Yes FabbyChic you have a point but surely in a built up area you keep an eye out for kids? I do more so near schools..it is what you do as a sensible driver. Of course there are incidents where it cannot be avoided but it doesn't hurt anyone to go more slowly.

Would it save lives? I thought they'd found no decrease in accidents after 20 limits were introduced? I can't remember where I read that though, so I may be wrong.

Topknob down our street we have kids come running out from behind vans that are half parked on the road/pavement.. Its not even safe to drive around our garage block which is a complete dead end and the childrens parents garages/houses are not down there. Yet the children go around there and play football and annoy the dogs in a place where you would not see them till to late, parents need to control their children and teach them to be safe.

Although maybe im just mad at that one as I cought the little buggers trying to break into my garage!!

Why don't we all just walk

Speeders will speed regardless of the limit. I don't see how making everyone go slower all the time (inc all the responsible drivers) will make massive amounts of difference.
It frustrates me having to go proper slow when all kids or most are in school or at night.

20mph limits are only any good if they are enforced. Otherwise the idiots who want to speed with no regard for anyone else will do.

I live on a road which has a lot of children around at school kicking on time. As a result most people drive at 20 rather than the limit of 30 at times when they know children will be around. You still get idiots racing down at silly speeds. Changing the limit wouldnt really achieve a great deal.

I read recently that one of the arguments for the 20mph speed limit is that children under 11 and adults over 75 find it hard to judge the speed of a car when it is going over 25mph. Even if people don't stick to this speed limit they are likely to drive more slowly increasing the chances of young children being able to judge better their speed and make better choices about crossing.

Yes, but loads of things could save lives.

Why don't we just ban all cars, as there are so many road accidents?

I find that even in my little car, it is so easy to creep over 20 that I spend too much time checking my speedometer instead of the road.

I can't believe there would be anyone who would disagree.

Of course there are idiots who break the law...

If it helps save lives then what on earth is the problem?

I think its a no brainer - isn't it

Of course it isn't.

What is so special about 20? What is this magic number in which you show such touching faith? How about 21, 19, 18.

Lets go further...

Reduce the limit to 10, or 5 or 2. Or ban cars altogether from urban areas.

Surely the limit is not the real problem. You could argue all day about the correct limit for any given road at a given time and then have to factor in pedestrian activity, weather conditions, driver abilities, vehicle condition, etc.

but would it feminine? Would a sign on the road saying "20" really make a massive difference? I'm not sure it would.

How about a radical new idea? 2 m.p.h. and a red flag in front of every car!

sirzy I think if that was the guideline it would.

Where I am (US) it is 20 in built up areas (most streets)

and the police will give out tickets if you drive over this.

Actually if it was 15 and drivers went above, the poor pedestrian would stand a better chance than if they were exceeding 35-40.

Why are some of you so reluctant to give up speeding

Why the hell are you so bloody minded?

Why is the speed you want to travel at, more important than the safety of others?

Why?

Feminine

What is so special about the number 20? Why is 30 speeding?

If I said that I think the only safe speed in towns is 10 how can you argue with that? After all, if we all drove at 10 then far more children would be saved. " Its a no brainer isnt it "

So when you are doing 20 in your US cities, you are reluctant to give up speed, you are being bloody minded and you are speeding.

The discussion here is about people's touching faith in the omnipotence of a number whereas true road safety is far more complex and thus the obsession with 30 or 20 or 10 is actually more dangerous because it leads the simple minded into believing safey is only about speed (however you personally define what speeding actually is).

If you read my earlier posts I have already said I adapt my driving dependant on conditions. Most drivers do, those who don't won't care if it is 20 or 30

Speed limits are rarely enforced on roads that are likely to be changed anyway making them pretty pointless.

A speed limit where you have to closely watch your speedo to make sure you don't exceed surely isn't as safe as driving sensibly watching the road and responding to conditions ahead?

We have a few 20mph zones in our nearest city and they work, and I'd like to see a few more. I would also like to see a few 30mph roads upped to 40mph and a higher speed limit on the motorway.

I really genuinely wanted to know what the arguments against could possibly be. There are loads of arguments for including reduced fatalities, improved air quality, less car noise and it having very minimal impact on total journey times. Haven't found a convincing enough argument against in the posts so far. So Pendeen - what are you saying the real problem is and what is the solution ? Banning cars just isn't an option but because 20mph would have minimal impact on drivers but make a big difference in lots of other ways - why ever not ?