RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) delivered an interesting document in June 2018 entitled Road Safety Factsheet (Inappropriate Speed Factsheet). It has been a belief of mine that many car drivers use the road through this village at inappropriate speeds. 53% of drivers will drive at more than 30 mph in built up areas.
As I have observed by following traffic through Sutton a surprising number of people will drive at greater than 30 mph through the village ignoring the speed indicator device.
RoSPA say that 20 mph zones are the most effective way of reducing vehicle speeds and as result death and injury to pedestrians.
They further state that “RoSPA supports and encourages the wider use of 20mph limits. They have been shown to reduce traffic speed, although not as much as 20mph zones with traffic calming. However, they are considerably less expensive to implement, which means that wider areas can be covered. They also provide additional benefits, such as encouraging more physical activity, such as walking and cycling. They can also greatly improve the character of a residential area and quality of life of the residents.”
Their 20 mph Zones and Limit factsheet states,
“A large number of evaluation studies have demonstrated a link between the introduction of 20mph zones and a subsequent reduction in casualties. The size of the reductions and the consistency of results over a wide number of areas are further evidence for this link.
There is similarly strong evidence showing the benefits of traffic calming measures, which are used in 20mph zones.
20mph limits without traffic calming also reduces traffic speed, although this effect is smaller than when they are introduced with traffic calming or other measures. Their lower cost means that wider areas can be covered.
As well as road safety benefits, it is important to highlight the contribution that 20mph zones can have in encouraging more physical activity, such as walking and cycling, by contributing towards a safer environment. The money spent on the schemes can also greatly improve the character of a residential area and quality of life of the residents.”
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