According to a report commissioned by Transport for London (TfL), the implementation of 20mph speed limits on the streets of London has led to a decrease in fatalities and injuries.
Analyzing all 157 initiatives on borough roads, the report reveals a notable 34% decline in fatal and serious injuries, although it also notes that without these speed limits, a 15% reduction in casualties might have occurred due to other safety measures in place within the control group.
Will Norman, the commissioner for walking and cycling, described the findings as “convincing,” asserting that they “clearly demonstrate that reducing speed saves lives.”
Conversely, Callum McGoldrick from the TaxPayers’ Alliance expressed concern that universal 20mph zones might “penalize responsible drivers without providing a clear return on investment.”
The introduction of the 20mph speed limit schemes took place between 1989 and 2013.
TfL stated that the report aimed to analyze the effects of these measures over nearly a quarter of a century to gain a more extensive understanding of their impact.
This report, noted as the largest of its kind in London, also looked at the three-year periods before and after the initiation of each 20mph scheme.
In the capital, only 5% of roads are under TfL’s jurisdiction, while the remaining roads are managed by the 32 boroughs and the City of London.
The 20mph limit was launched in the central London Congestion Charging zone in March 2020, although currently, more than half of the boroughs have adopted the same approach, according to TfL.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association criticized the expansion of the 20mph zones last year, describing its effects as “devastating” for taxi drivers.
The report’s authors acknowledged that while the introduction of 20mph zones contributed to improved road safety, it was not the only factor responsible for this improvement.
The analysis also uncovered the following insights:
Tom Edwards, BBC London’s Transport Correspondent, highlighted the broader implications, noting that London is set to see an increase in 20mph speed limits.
He pointed out that approximately half of London’s roads are already subject to a 20mph limit, with City Hall preparing to expand this initiative on the grounds that it saves lives.
“This aligns with the mayor’s Vision Zero strategy aimed at eliminating road casualties entirely,” he remarked.
While many support the adoption of 20mph limits, especially in residential neighborhoods, critics argue that these restrictions can hinder productivity and lead to inconveniences, turning the issue into a political matter in various regions.
Representing these dissenting views, Mr. McGoldrick argued, “Slowing traffic across entire regions can congest roads, prolong travel times, and negatively impact productivity, especially for tradespeople and small enterprises.”
He suggested that instead of broad measures, councils and TfL should concentrate on specific interventions at known accident hotspots rather than treating all motorists as potential threats.
However, Mr. Norman contended that reduced speed not only safeguards the most vulnerable individuals but also contributes to the creation of safer, more inviting streets, playing an essential role in building a more secure London for all.
“Every serious injury or fatality on our roads is one too many,” he said.
He emphasized that both he and the mayor take pride in London’s leadership in implementing evidence-based actions to enhance road safety and affirmed their commitment to achieving the vision zero goal of eliminating death and serious injuries from the transport network.
