Speed Limits

(asked on 25th October 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the impact of 20mph speed limits on the number of road accidents occurring in those areas since the introduction of that speed limit; and if she will make a statement.


Answered by
Mark Harper Portrait
Mark Harper
Secretary of State for Transport
This question was answered on 28th October 2022

The Department published a comprehensive three-year evaluation of the effect of 20mph signed-only limits on 22 November 2018.

The research substantially strengthens the evidence base on perceptions, speeds and early outcomes associated with 20mph speed limits, and is the only major UK study to consider multiple case study areas and provide a national view.

The headline findings were:

  • 20mph limits are supported by the majority of residents and drivers
  • There has been a small reduction in median speed (less than 1mph).
  • Vehicles travelling at higher speeds before the introduction of the 20mph limit have reduced their speed more than those already travelling at lower speeds.
  • There is insufficient evidence to conclude that that there has been a significant change in collisions and casualties following the introduction of 20mph limits in residential areas.
  • In one city centre case study there has been a significant reduction in collisions and casualties.
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