'Cut speed to 20mph' Brake urges Plymouth drivers
Plymouth motorists are being urged to reduce their speed to 20mph in built-up areas, in a bid to cut the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads.
The message comes from road safety charity Brake, as it reveals every week nine adults and three children (age 0 to 17) are run down and killed or seriously hurt when on foot or bike in the South West.
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Brake is urging motorists to cut their speed to 20mph in built-up areas
Each year the charity dedicates one week to raising awareness of road dangers. The theme for this year’s Road Safety Week, which gets under way today, is ‘Slower speeds = happy people’.
Brake is calling on drivers to slow down to 20mph around homes, schools and shops. This, the charity explains, will save lives, as it gives motorists a good chance of stopping in time in an emergency.
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Brake will also be raising awareness of the importance of making it safer for people to walk and cycle in their community.
In the South West last year 26 people were killed on foot and 349 were seriously injured. Of these victims, 28 per cent (105) were children: three child pedestrians were killed and 102 suffered serious injuries.
Meanwhile 10 cyclists were killed and 233 suffered serious injuries. Of these victims, 12 per cent (28) were children: two child cyclists were killed and 26 suffered serious injuries.
In 2011 pedestrian deaths and serious injuries rose significantly across the UK, and for the first time in 17 years. Pedestrian deaths increased by 12 per cent, while serious injuries climbed by five per cent.
Cyclist deaths decreased by two per cent in 2011, but serious injuries increased by 16 per cent.
Last month pupils from St Mary's Infant School joined forces with police and local residents to try to change the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph. Around 40 people attended a meeting to raise awareness, and pupils used a speed camera to check speed and counted cars around the school.
Headteacher of St Mary's Infant School in Plympton, Pete Hayes, said: "If people are driving at 30pmh there is an 85 per cent chance of fatality, but at 20mph that goes down to two-and-a-half per cent, that's a massive difference. We want people to slow down."
Franki Hackett, campaign coordinator at Brake, said: “Everyone in the South West 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.
“Anyone who drives can help bring this about: pledge to GO 20 in communities, even where the limit’s still 30 - you’ll be doing something good for people around you, and you’ll hardly notice the difference to your journey.
“We’re also calling on national government and more local authorities in the South West to recognise the need for 20mph, and the huge demand for safe walking and cycling, and GO 20.”
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Speed is quite often a contributing factor in road deaths and casualties.
“What drivers should concentrate on is driving to the road conditions as opposed to the actual road speed limit. So motorists should reduce their speed in built-up areas, even if the limit is 30mph.
“We would support any campaign that is going to help reduce road deaths”.
To find out more about Road Safety Week, visit www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk.
To read about the benefits of 20mph zones, click here.
Comments
by Foldart
Thursday, November 22 2012, 3:38PM
“@timplymouth - ah, the innocence of youth. The accident stats and insurance premiums are all the proof I need of your accuracy. I would suggest you take an advanced driving course. That may show you how naive your comments are.”
by plymisgreat
Thursday, November 22 2012, 2:27PM
“Unfortunately there are a number of people who just ignore the 30 mph limit, so I expect they would ignore the 20 mph limit too.
I like robocop1982's idea for a high tec technical solution to the problem.”
by timplymouth
Thursday, November 22 2012, 2:24PM
“If you have trouble seeing what's around you at 30mph maybe it's time you gave up your licence?”
by Foldart
Thursday, November 22 2012, 12:26PM
“Ah Tim, how wrong can you be? Driving according to the conditions around you is what GOOD drivers do. If that means driving slowly around schools or estates so that you have enough time to take in all the hazards around you then so be it.
Driving at the speed limit all the time shows that some drivers aren't thinking about what's around them - or not caring; either way it shows a disregard of roadcraft and a lack of driving skills.
Your comment should worry all right thinking drivers.”
by timplymouth
Thursday, November 22 2012, 11:47AM
“Unless there is a specific reason not to, you are supposed to get up to the speed limit and would fail your driving test for not doing so.
Specific reasons not to would include weather and other traffic/pedestrians that pose a specific hazard.
A default speed of 20mph would be ridiculous, cause unnecessary congestion and pollution and annoy all drivers.”
by BarryBT
Thursday, November 22 2012, 11:39AM
“Education is where this starts. Most people are stupid, so this is only relavent to them!”
by Foldart
Thursday, November 22 2012, 9:25AM
“The reduced speed limit would only be enforcing what good drivers do anyway. Why do some drivers think that the speed limit is the recommended speed? There are a lot of non-thinking drivers out there.”
by robocop1982
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 8:11PM
“use a transceiver that sends a signal to electronically limit the cars speed to the designated area. vehicle manufactures should be legally required to limit cars top speed. electronically limiting cars from harsh acceleration is the only way it will be stopped. that way at the push of a button the high control could slow traffic down on motorways with immediate precision. every vehicle would follow exact precise speeds then. Like it or not that is the future. But then of course the government would not make any money from speeding motorists as all cars would be electronically limited. i've driven in bc canada and seen how people over there in general obey the limits in all areas including the 40kmh limit in construction zone. uk drivers are terrine when it comes to obeying the rules like no parking zones or no dropping off”
by OutsideView
Tuesday, November 20 2012, 4:56PM
“The inference from the article seems to be that cars and their drivers are the cause of the incidents and that pedestrians and cyclists are innocent.
would not a better conclusion be reached if it was reported for each incident what the true cause was in order to arrive at a reasoned decision.”
by DevonMal
Tuesday, November 20 2012, 4:39PM
“'Cut speed to 40mph' Brake urges Ivybridge drivers...”