Proposal to lower speed limit on A roads

[RoseTattoo]

Report in The Times and other media today. Personally I think it should be Headlined: 'Plan to reduce Road Deaths by 30%' but they know that their headline will get more response.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/news/article6136213.ece

 

[wemorgan]

It's an ambitious target, that is possibly there to placate those that would normally appose a reduction in the national speed limit.

I wonder is this a sign from the Government that they believe there are few more lives to be saved from vehicle safety improvements?

 

[miro]

Report in The Times and other media today. Personally I think it should be Headlined: 'Plan to reduce Road Deaths by 30%' but they know that their headline will get more response.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/news/article6136213.ece

Waste of time. Boredom kills too.

 

[Dryce]

I wonder is this a sign from the Government that they believe there are few more lives to be saved from vehicle safeyu improvements?

It's a refocus on safety on road users other than vehicle occupants.

 

[hawk20]

Part of their usual anti -motorist pro busses stance IMO. And this morning the news said the speed limit of 60 on normal trunk roads will be cut to 50.

 

[Rose Chap]

It's a refocus on safety on road users other than vehicle occupants.

That's generous!

I think it's an excuse to raise more revenue from the inevitable speed cameras that will spring up on these roads and provides another excuse not to carry out necessary road maintenance.

If this government were serious about reducing casualty rates on the roads we'd be seeing more traffic police who actually catch people breaking laws other than exceeding (an increasingly arbitary) speed limit.

 

[Mr Jadefox]

The problem is there are 4 lane A-Roads (e.g. the A2) and there are single lane country A roads (e.g. the A2!) so I think it's a bit silly to paint A-Roads with the same brush.

They just need to use their common sense if the think road speeds are too high and adjust accordingly

 

[hawk20]

This is the section that shocks me from the OP link:-

The Home Office would approve cameras that detect average speed, covering all exit and entry points to residential areas. The fixed penalty for driving 15mph over the limit would double to six points. The fine for failing to wear a seatbelt would double to £60. Drivers who fail to belt up could eventually be given three penalty points.
Police would no longer need to suspect that an offence has been committed in order to stop and breath-test a driver. Breath specimens taken at the roadside would become admissible as primary evidence in court, removing the need to carry out additional tests at a police station. Drivers would lose the right to demand a blood test.
The aim of several of the reforms is to make traffic policing more efficient, reducing paperwork and allowing officers to deal with offenders quickly.
Police would be able to issue fixed penalties for careless driving. Offences such as failing to signal or passing too close to a cyclist, which currently would draw a verbal warning, could result in a £60 fine and three penalty points.

 

[kwakdonut]

This is the section that shocks me from the OP link:-

The Home Office would approve cameras that detect average speed, covering all exit and entry points to residential areas. The fixed penalty for driving 15mph over the limit would double to six points. The fine for failing to wear a seatbelt would double to £60. Drivers who fail to belt up could eventually be given three penalty points.
Police would no longer need to suspect that an offence has been committed in order to stop and breath-test a driver. Breath specimens taken at the roadside would become admissible as primary evidence in court, removing the need to carry out additional tests at a police station. Drivers would lose the right to demand a blood test.
The aim of several of the reforms is to make traffic policing more efficient, reducing paperwork and allowing officers to deal with offenders quickly.
Police would be able to issue fixed penalties for careless driving. Offences such as failing to signal or passing too close to a cyclist, which currently would draw a verbal warning, could result in a £60 fine and three penalty points.

Another reduction in our legal rights

 

[glojo]

For years I have been saying it is CRAZY to have a 50mph speed limit on a motorway with four lane carriageways and perhaps mythical road works which are not current and no one on site, yet here in Devon a dual carriageway is a country lane with grass growing in the middle of the road. This dangerous, narrow, country lane will have a sped limit of 60mph!!!

I would like to see 'B' or lower classified highways have speed limits more in line with their conditions as opposed to the larger 'A' class roads

 

[Mr Jadefox]

An example of one of these dangerous A-Roads....

http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/gallery/displayimage.php?album=317&pos=56

 

[Rose Chap]

For years I have been saying it is CRAZY to have a 50mph speed limit on a motorway with four lane carriageways and perhaps mythical road works which are not current and no one on site, yet here in Devon a dual carriageway is a country lane with grass growing in the middle of the road. This dangerous, narrow, country lane will have a sped limit of 60mph!!!

I would like to see 'B' or lower classified highways have speed limits more in line with their conditions as opposed to the larger 'A' class roads

John, I grew up in south Devon and learnt to drive on precisely the roads you describe. There are places where 20 mph would be foolhardy, whereas a quarter of a mile further along the same there may be a long straight, wide section with excellent visibility where 60 mph can seem slow.

The long and short of this is that it makes no sense to lower the speed limit on roads like this UNLESS (as I'm 100% positive is the case) these new limits are going to be vigorously enforced, presumably by vans and speed cameras.

It also sends yet another message to the public at large that safe driving is all about driving below a certain speed, rather than observation coupled with forward planning.

 

[Mr Jadefox]

Sure everyone will understand the reason for the 50 limit and the speed cameras on this one......

http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/gallery/displayimage.php?album=317&pos=67

 

[nick mercedes]

The aim of several of the reforms is to make traffic policing more efficient, reducing paperwork and allowing officers to deal with offenders quickly.

The aim of the refoms is to raise money from a soft target.

 

[kwakdonut]

The aim of the refoms is to raise money from a soft target.

Like most 'reforms' aimed at the motorist then?!!

 

[st13phil]

If you're interested, you can download the Consultation Paper from here. Prepare to employ a man with a red flag to walk infront of your vehicle in the not-too-distant future. Lots of stuff on ISA and vehicle to infrastructure comms, too. Big Brother is here

 

[kwakdonut]

If you're interested, you can download the Consultation Paper from here. Prepare to employ a man with a red flag to walk infront of your vehicle in the not-too-distant future. Lots of stuff on ISA and vehicle to infrastructure comms, too. Big Brother is here

Been here for some time actually! Big Brother's Bigger Brother is taking over....

 

[Dryce]

Another reduction in our legal rights

The loss of right to a blood test is the least contentious bit IMO.

Police would be able to issue fixed penalties for careless driving. Offences such as failing to signal or passing too close to a cyclist, which currently would draw a verbal warning, could result in a £60 fine and three penalty points.

And this won't work any more than the enforcement of mobile phone usage while driving has worked.

There is also a problem of degree of punishment. Does not wearing a seatbelt or failing to signal the merit same punishment as speeding?

 

[oldcro]

Once again a proposed safety measure is ridiculed without knowing all the facts. I am prepared to obey as best I can the law while driving for two reasons.

First, I do not want to be one of the 27,000 who will be killed or seriously injured on the roads this year.

Secondly, I do not want to be responsible for any of the 27,000 who will be killed or seriously injured on the roads this year.

This speed restriction proposal only applies to accident black-spots and residential streets where a speed reduction has been requested by the way.

 

[hawk20]

Once again a proposed safety measure is ridiculed without knowing all the facts. I am prepared to obey as best I can the law while driving for two reasons.

First, I do not want to be one of the 27,000 who will be killed or seriously injured on the roads this year.

Secondly, I do not want to be responsible for any of the 27,000 who will be killed or seriously injured on the roads this year.

This speed restriction proposal only applies to accident black-spots and residential streets where a speed reduction has been requested by the way.

It is being ridiculed because few if any will drive at 20 and if they do they will probably doze off and kill people.

Secondly it is not as limited as you suggest. Worth re-reading the links.

P.S. The govts claimed drop in injuries is not backed up by hospitals who seem to have seen little change. Just the police are apparently reporting less serious injuries.