The Big '20mph Zone' Con

[wulfhound]

Labour will soon, come election time, be trumpeting that they have made a safer borough for all by imposition of 20mph, but the reality is different; what actually happens is that a minority try to adhere to it while the majority ignore it. Those that ignore it are inclined to get angry and frustrated if they are stuck behind someone adhering to the limit. There seems to be an increase in overtaking in a reckless way.

The borough election is three years away - plenty of time for the statistics to accumulate. The number of incidents is such that it'll be very, very clear within about two years whether it works. May be worth watching the STATS19 injury collision data for other Inner London boroughs which have gone Total 20 a year or two ahead of Southwark - published annually by the DfT - just have to be tad careful as those stats include the red routes.

[henryb]

Yes I imagine it is more likely to be telematic boxes than wide spread cameras. Some insurers won't cover young drivers without them already. They could even tie it in with road pricing and traffic monitoring and possibly even sat-nav route optimization. Slightly big brother, but other transport is monitored in a similar way for both safety and efficiency reasons.

[Earl Aelfheah]

It would be so simple to produce vehicles which were restricted to the speed limit with the use of technology. And it doesn't have to report on your driving to insures / employers etc, in order to restrict your speed. There is no good reason why new cars shouldn't include technology to prevent speeding - but the truth is, people wouldn't accept it.. because they like to have the freedom to drive fast.

[rodneybewes]

Some twitter news trending that TFL is going to make red routes 20mph in London to cut 20,000 injuries by 2020. Not sure how reliable this is though...

[kford]

rahrahrah Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> It would be so simple to produce vehicles which

> were restricted to the speed limit with the use of

> technology. And it doesn't have to report on your

> driving to insures / employers etc, in order to

> restrict your speed. There is no good reason why

> new cars shouldn't include technology to prevent

> speeding - but the truth is, people wouldn't

> accept it.. because they like to have the freedom

> to drive fast.

Lorries have been speed restricted for years, yet the seem to be crashing more:

http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/media/21-10-2013-lorry-fatalities-research

[kford]

rahrahrah Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> It would be so simple to produce vehicles which

> were restricted to the speed limit with the use of

> technology. And it doesn't have to report on your

> driving to insures / employers etc, in order to

> restrict your speed. There is no good reason why

> new cars shouldn't include technology to prevent

> speeding - but the truth is, people wouldn't

> accept it.. because they like to have the freedom

> to drive fast.

And still people will use their phones, pull out without looking, drink and drive, drive tired - the real causes of collisions - but because they're doing 20mph, they'll consider themselves officially 'safe'.

[DulwichFox]

Another Low Speed Multi-Vehicle Shunt / collision last night on Lordship Lane..

The third one I have seen in the area since the 20 MPH system was introduced.

This one involved 4 cars and a bus outside the EDT.

Vehicles travelling closer together, more people stepping out to cross the road not at crossings.

Cars pulling out of side streets because they think have more time and don't want to wait while

you crawl past.

People are so worried about speeding they are not looking at the road. They are looking down at their speedometers.

Lewisham and other boroughs have it right.. 30 MPH Main roads. 20 MPH Side roads..

Many rear ends shunts happen in traffic jams. (slow moving traffic)

Southwark has basically created traffic jams across the borough. There will be many more accidents.

DulwichFox

[Lowlander]

Fox, I see your view, but can you really blame the 20mph zone for that accident? Is it actually possible to do more than 10mph outside the EDT?

[DulwichFox]

Lowlander Wrote:

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> Fox, I see your view, but can you really blame the

> 20mph zone for that accident? Is it actually

> possible to do more than 10mph outside the EDT?

Yes at 21.00 you can...

DulwichFox

[Lowlander]

The EDT is on the corner of the Lordship Lane exit of the roundabout itself.

Speed limits aside, I thought you had to slow down to around 5/10mph at roundabouts? If not, what speed do vehicles go through this one at?

[DulwichFox]

I'm not sure exactly where the accident happened but the 4 cars parked up outside the EDT to exchange details.

The Bus was further up..

My comments were based on recent observations and experiences whilst out driving.

Vehicles travelling closer together, more people stepping out to cross the road not at crossings.

Cars pulling out of side streets because they think have more time and don't want to wait while

you crawl past.

Some one steps out, driver brakes and .. Bump..Bump...Bump..

DulwichFox

[polla2256]

speed limits are just guide lines, as with the rest of the "law"

[apbremer]

Just overtaken by a mobility scooter, two pushchairs and a duck.