Introduction of 20mph zones ‘save 16 lives’ in Bristol – with plans to roll out more areas across UK
Four years after their introduction, Bristol's low speed areas are proving to save lives
FOUR years on from the introduction of 20mph zones in one of Britain's major cities, the speed restrictions have been proven to save as many as four lives each year.
Since the roll out of a number of 20mph limited areas around Bristol in 2014, the average speeds on those roads has fallen by 2.7mph.
A report by the University of West England found the reduced speed zones prevented approximately 11 serious, and 159 slight injuries.
The safer road environment has also seen the city save more than £15million in potential medical fees across the four-year time frame, due to the reduction in the number of casualties and serious collisions.
The Bristol Twenty Miles Per Hour Limit Evaluation analysed more than 36 million vehicle movements to demonstrate the safety benefits of the low-speed areas.
On top of actually reducing the number of collisions, the zones encouraged drivers to be more conscious of the speed limit, with drivers travelling just 1.8mph over the limit on average during the day..
Dr Paul Pilkington, lead author of the study, said: "In January 2014, Bristol began to introduce 20mph speed limits throughout the city, following the completion of successful pilot schemes in south and east Bristol.
"The 20mph speed limit was introduced in six phases, with the process being completed in September 2015.
"The roll-out of the 20mph speed limits in Bristol was about more than reducing road traffic casualties, although this was one of the aims.
"It also sought to improve health and wellbeing across the city, taking a wider perspective as to how slower traffic speeds might impact on people's lives.
"The reductions in speeds and road traffic casualties are a very promising finding for the city, and for 20mph speed limits in general.
"It offers a model for other towns and cities across the world, who are seeking to reduce traffic speeds, cut road traffic casualties, and promote community health and wellbeing through road danger reduction."
The road laws you need to know
Other city councils have rolled out the 20mph zones in recent years, but not all have shown such positive results.
A 2017 report found that seven out of 13 low-speed areas introduced in Bath and North East Somerset actually saw a rise in the number of crashes after the 20mph limit came into force.
The report suggested that pedestrians and cyclists were probably less careful because of the lower speed limit.