RAC insists careful planning required for 20mph zones

The government should look before it leaps in terms of introducing blanket 20mph speed limits in residential areas, Elizabeth Dainton, research development manager at the RAC, says.

Dainton told a one day conference on speed management that, while 20mph limits have been proven to help reduce pedestrian casualties, speed is not the only factor in accidents around town.

She pointed out that any lower limit would likely require some form of physical speed reduction to be installed, or the use of speed cameras. Both measures have already proven unpopular with the public, she said.

“It does not follow that 20mph zones should be implemented in residential areas without adequate consideration being given to local circumstances and public opinion,” Dainton said. “One-size fits all policies are rarely successful. 20mph zones are no different.”