Evidence to implementing 20mph zones

As an evidence-based charity with a mission to prevent accidents RoSPA’s stance is clear: in urban and residential areas, the default speed limit should be 20mph. The evidence overwhelmingly supports this position. Lowering speed limits in these areas has been shown to significantly reduce the severity of accidents, saving lives and preventing serious injuries. Studies have demonstrated that even a modest reduction in average speed by one per cent can lead to a five per cent decrease in incident rates, highlighting the life-saving potential of 20mph zones.

Change in stance from the previous Conservative Government

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh’s commitment to supporting local authorities in making road safety decisions marks a welcome shift in policy. Haigh acknowledged the challenges faced by councils under the previous government, noting that, "It's really, really difficult for local authorities when they've not got that air cover from government... And not only did they not have the air cover, they had the Government actively working against them saying 'No, you're not allowed to roll out 20mph zones.'"