This month, Deputy Executive Director Margaret Winchcomb spoke to the ETSC Main Council Meeting in Madrid about 20mph limits in Europe, presenting PACTS research to assess the impact of 20mph limits (the LUSTRE project), as well as initial findings of vehicle speed reductions in Wales, published by PACTS member Agilysis. Across Europe, locally elected leaders are calling for the right to set safer speed limits. A letter published last week in the Financial Times, co-signed by 13 mayors and deputy mayors, defends the right of local authorities to set appropriate speed limits. The letter comes in the wake of central government initiatives in England and Italy which could impede the authority of cities and towns to implement local road safety measures. In Germany, more than 1000 cities have united for the same cause, with national rules currently restricting cities from setting local speeds.
Evidence (including PACTS research to assess the impact of 20mph limits [the LUSTRE project]) shows that lower speeds result in lower numbers of deaths and serious injury, with other positive changes to the way people travel (for example air quality, improved well-being and accessibility). A recent Norwegian report documents that in cities such as Brussels, Lyon, Bilbao and Grenoble, a reduction in speed limits has led to lower speeds, reduced noise and local pollution and significantly fewer accidents and no increase in travel time or congestion for vehicular traffic. In Lyon specifically, there has been a 35% decrease in injuries and a 39% drop in serious injuries since the city adopted the “city30” scheme.
In September last year 20mph became the default speed limit in Wales for roads where people and vehicles mix. Despite recent changes of national leadership, that policy is unchanged. Headlines have caught on the planned, and good practice, review of roads where exception criteria apply. This may mean that some roads where 30mph limits were set will change down to 20mph as complaints have been received asking for lower limits. The opposite may also happen.
Fundamentally, lower local speed limits are internationally endorsed as a crucial element in reducing road casualties. There is a change in public opinion happening across Europe – a change that is supported by locally elected officials because it is what voters want. Lives will be saved with the introduction of reduced speed limits, which is exactly what these leaders are advocating for.