Car AccidentA recent study in London has highlighted the need for more cities to adopt 20mph speed limits, with injuries caused by traffic dropping by almost 40% since the introduction of the limits. The London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine have conducted a study comparing the injury and accident rates on the roads between 1986 and 2006. The study estimates that up to 200 casualties a year are prevented by the reduced speed limit zones in London alone and an extension of the zones could prevent a further 500 injuries on an annual basis.

Even allowing for a general decline in the number of accidents over the course of the study the scientists discovered that introduction of the zones led to a reduction in casualties of over 40%, injuries to pedestrians dropped by a third and injuries to cyclists also dropped, there was even a drop in the number of injuries in area adjacent to the 20 mph zones.

Dr Chris Grundy, leader of the study, commented “This evidence supports the rationale for 20mph zones, not just in major cities in Britain, but also in similar metropolitan areas elsewhere”. Both the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) have supported the findings of the study. Kevin Clinton from RoSPA said: “This research confirms that one of the most effective ways of protecting vulnerable road users, especially children, is the introduction of 20mph zones.”

Related posts:

  1. Only drivers can prevent accidents
  2. Car hire users ‘scared of night driving’
  3. Beware iZombies!
  4. Should we Place Restrictions on New Drivers?
  5. London featured in list of top UK cities