19.11.12
Charities call for 20mph urban speed limit
The Government should make 20mph speed limits the norm in built-up residential areas, road safety charities have urged.
A coalition of charities, including Brake, Sustrans and the Campaign to Protect Rural England are launching a ‘GO 20’ campaign, and are calling for the speed limit to be revised.
Asking drivers to slow down around shops and schools could reduce casualties and encourage more walking and cycling, the charities state.
The number of pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in Britain rose in 2011 for the first time in 17 years, to 466 people killed and 5,654 seriously injured.
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake, said: “Everyone should be able to walk and cycle in their community without fear or threat: it's a basic right, and GO 20 is about defending that. The 2012 Games helped us all realise the importance of being able to live active lifestyles. Critical to this is making our streets and communities safe places we can use and enjoy.”
Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “We support targeted 20mph limits but you need some roads for movement. If it's a residential street that isn't a through road and local people support it, that's fine.
“The problem comes when there's a blanket ban: then people disrespect the limit on the through road and likely will do on the residential streets too.”
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