Scotland introduce 20mph zones halved number of road accidents
In Scotland, the introduction of 20mph zones has halved the number of road accidents in scores of residential regions across the Capital, according to the city council.
Accidents around lower schools within the city have also declined by nearly a third since the 20mph speed limit was introduced.
The reduction in the speed limit was enforced to reduce the risk of severe personal injury or death if a collision took place.
The council has been monitoring the impact of the zones, showing the number of accidents in the three years before and after the new limit was imposed.
The figure was cut in half in the 29 residential areas of the city where the 20mph zones have been put into place, dropping from 149 to 75. At the 26 primary schools, the number of road accidents fell from 54 to 37.
The spots were the council focused on were Royston, which had the highest number of accidents, Broughton, Portobello, Gorgie and Lochend. Other regions are being monitored, with the council drawing up a priority list of accident ‘hotspots’ each year.
Gordon Mackenzie, the city's transport leader, said: “The council is committed to the reducing of accidents on our roads and to making our city a safer place.
“After all, any accident is one too many. A key element of our road safety plan is the introduction of 20mph speed limits in suitable residential areas.
“This assists in meeting our objective to reduce vehicle speeds and, in turn, to reduce accident numbers. These results show that we have learned from past mistakes to implement a cost-effective scheme that saves lives.”
Road safety charities have welcomed the significant drop in road accidents since the zones were introduced in Edinburgh. Brake is one of those organisations:
A spokeswoman said: “A 20mph limit in residential areas is something Brake has been campaigning for a number of years.
“We really want to urge people to slow down in residential areas and around schools because the faster they go, the more serious it is if they hit someone.
“Children are vulnerable road users and as much as we can educate them to stay safe on the road, they might walk out in front of a car.
“If people are aware of the dangers of going faster in residential areas they might be more aware of things like kids playing in the street or people walking out from between parked cars. If they are going slower, they can react quicker."
“These figures back up our campaign for 20mph speed limits and we would urge all councils to introduce these limits in residential areas.”
Reducing road accidents nationwide
Meanwhile, other areas across the UK are also enforcing new rules to lower road accidents and people killed or seriously hurt by them.
Wyre Forest has introduced electronic warning signs to improve safety near schools, and more are to be added.
The go-ahead was given this month to install the flashing signs, following a public outcry from parents about the dangers to children from speedsters.
The computer-operated signs are fitted with powerful light units and are programmed to operate at the start and end of the school day.
The signs alert drivers to their speed limit and costs around £4,000 each to install.
Updated on 8/5/2009