Trees 'slow down speeding motorists'

Date: 16/8/2010

Provisional results of an initiative by Norfolk County Council show the planting of trees has reduced driving speeds.

The initiative has cut motorists' speed by an average of two miles per hour in four villages, the Independent reported.

Stuart Hallett, Norfolk's Casualty Reduction Manager, said the project works by playing with drivers' perspectives.

For example, on the approach to a village trees are planted at decreasing distances apart, which tricks road users into slowing down.

"If you are staying at a constant speed, your peripheral vision [which takes in the trees] is giving you the impression you are going faster," commented Mr Hallett.

The initiative is the first of its kind in the country and could be imitated by other local authorities if it is deemed a success by the Department for Transport when the final results are submitted this autumn.

Recently, the Daily Telegraph stated a new initiative known as Shared Space, where traffic lights are removed from town centres in a bid to improve traffic flow and reduce collisions, might be extended to other locations across the UK.

Posted by Sarah Bailey