Page 17 - Big Book of Accident Prevention

Case study 3: 20mph 17 zones and speed limits “Important benefits of 20mph schemes 120 20mph zones and speed limits 100 include quality of life and community benefits, and encouragement of healthier and more Indicator 1.10: Killed and seriously injured casualties on England’s roads 80 sustainable transport modes such as walking Reducing traffic speed to 20mph or less in residential areas is a very effective way of protecting the most vulnerable Unintentional (accidental) injury rate per 1,000 population 60 Home Road road users – children, pedestrians and pedal cyclists – from the risk of being killed or injured on the road, as well as 40 Leisure and cycling.” encouraging people to walk and cycle. 20 Source: Department for Transport 0 Age Groups 0 - 4 5 - 9 10 - 14 15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 - 54 55 - 59 60 - 64 65 - 69 70 - 74 75 - 79 80 - 84 85+ Evidence Plan/resource/partner Delivery Evaluation Higher vehicle speeds increase the likelihood of a RoSPA believes that schemes to reduce vehicle speeds A 2008 survey in England found that there were Many evaluation studies have demonstrated the collision occurring, and also mean the collision, and to 20mph are the best compromise between mobility an estimated 2,148 20mph zones, of which 399 effectiveness of 20mph zones (with traffic calming). any resulting injuries, will be more severe. and risk. were in London. Recently 20mph limits have Grundy, for example (British Medical Journal, December been introduced over a large proportion of the 2009), finds they reduce casualties by over 40%, and are Speed management to ensure that drivers travel 20mph zones, which incorporate traffic calming road network in several major cities, including even more effective in reducing the numbers of child at an appropriate speed is an essential part of the techniques, have been shown to be a very effective way Portsmouth, where the speed limit on 94% of the casualties and fatal or serious crashes. World Health Organisation’s whole-system approach of preventing injuries, especially to vulnerable road users. roads is 20mph and Bristol, where over 500 roads to road safety, which places human vulnerability They also offer the potential to reduce the inequalities in are covered by 20mph limits. Other local authorities There are fewer evaluations of 20mph limits (without to injury at the centre of how roads and vehicles pedestrian injury rates between affluent and deprived are planning to introduce widespread 20mph limits. traffic calming) but there is evidence that they do are designed, as well as the speed with which areas. 20mph limits, which do not incorporate traffic reduce speeds. 20mph limits provide other public drivers use them. Speed management has also calming measures, typically result in smaller reductions in 20mph limits can be more effective when benefits, such as encouraging more cycling and been a fundamental aspect of Britain’s road safety speed but can be adopted over a wider area because they coupled with other transport planning or road walking and creating a more pleasant environment. strategies for the last three decades. A well-designed are less expensive than 20mph zones. safety interventions. Further evaluation of 20mph limits will provide more road network reduces the risk of exposure to the evidence about the circumstances in which they are conditions that can cause fatal injury. RoSPA works with public and private sector partners most effective. on speed management strategies that include better The relationship between a vehicle’s impact speed design of roads with more attention paid to the needs Many local authorities will choose to accompany the and the severity of injury is well established, of pedestrians and cyclists. These strategies also include introduction of 20mph zones and limits with publicity especially for pedestrians who are more likely to be improved vehicle design, better driver education/training and education. RoSPA has been supporting road safety fatally injured at higher impact speeds. In built-up and speed limit enforcement as well as ensuring that departments in developing their skills at evaluating residential areas, reducing traffic speed is one of the employees who drive for work drive at safe speeds within education campaigns through workshops and most effective ways of reducing the risk to vulnerable speed limits. seminars. Our online road safety evaluation toolkit is at road users, such as children, pedestrians and pedal www.roadsafetyevaluation.com. cyclists, as well as encouraging more people to walk and cycle. Figure 12 – Contributory factors in road fatalities Exceeding speed limit 14% Travelling too fast for the conditions 9% Others including: • Loss of control Impairment • Failure to look properly Careless, reckless or in a hurry • Road environment Source: Tables RAS50007 & RAS5008 Reported & vehicle Road Casualties in Great Britain – 2011 Annual Report, DfT 2012 The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents