Drivers 'want speed limits lowered'

Date: 22/9/2010

The majority of drivers want speed limits to be lowered on residential and rural roads, a new survey has revealed.

But the study carried out by Brake and Direct Line also found most motorists admit to breaking speeding restrictions themselves.

Of the 942 respondents, 92 per cent would like to see a 20 mph limit around schools and 60 per cent support a 20 mph restriction near homes.

Furthermore, 70 per cent of UK drivers think speed limits on rural roads should be reduced, with 42 per cent advocating a default of 50 mph.

Julie Townsend, Campaigns Director at Brake, said this implies road users understand the link between slowing down and safety.

However, 72 per cent of road users admit to having driven at 35 mph or faster in a 30 mph zone in the last year, while 36 per cent do so at least once a week.

Ms Townsend commented: "The government must listen to what drivers are saying - we need lower limits and effective enforcement to stamp out the menace of speeding and the needless deaths and injuries that result from it."

Recently, Christian Wolmar wrote in a piece for the Guardian that the culture of speed in today's society - exacerbated by car advertisements and television programme Top Gear - undermines road safety messages.

Posted by Mary Treen