Darlington Cycling Campaign’s policy of a 20mph speed limit for the town is a step closer to becoming reality.
Proposals to bring down speed limits in areas of Britain where there is a higher risk of accidents have been announced by the government.
Reductions from 30mph to 20mph in urban locations and 60mph to 50mph in the countryside are being considered.
Road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick said the way people learn to drive and are tested is also set for reform.
The plans are part of a new strategy to reduce road deaths in England, Scotland and Wales by one-third by 2020.
Places such as Newcastle, Portsmouth, Oxford and Leicester already use 20mph speed limits in residential areas, and other local councils will be given new guidance to cut speed limits in residential areas and outside schools.
Darlington Borough Council have been introducing 20mph zones in selected residential areas, but have been hampered by a “can’t do” mentality amongst local professionals, who for example cite the need for regular signage and speed bumps as a barrier to the wider use of 20mph.
20 mph is slow, and a perfectly sensible speed to be driving around most towns.
The next step is to get the enforced – legally and socially. Fear of being caught, and fear of how this’ll reflect on one’s standing amongst friends and colleagues are a powerful combination – look at drink driving as an example.
A blanket change in the law would get over the ‘can’t do’ crowd’s anxieties. Make it 20 mph everywhere inside towns, unless explicitly signed otherwise.