More urban areas in UK should have 20mph road speed limits, according to London study
A dramatic reduction in the number of people killed or injured in road traffic accidents could be achieved by lowering the speed limit in built up areas, according to a new study which has been published in the British Medical Journal. The study, conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine looked at accident statistics covering the last two decades to see if there was a link between speed limits and accidents.
By comparing data on road collisions, injuries and deaths in the London area between 1986 and 2006 with the speed limits on those roads, the researchers found that the introduction of a 20mph speed limit was associated with a drop in accidents of almost 42%. Schoolchildren fared particularly well according to the statistics, with half as many injuries in areas that had 20mph speed limits as opposed to areas with 30mph limits.
Even in areas adjacent to the 20 mph zones, a small drop of 8% in the number of accident claims was recorded. Comparing the number of accidents on roads with 30 mph speed limits to those with 20 mph speed limits, the researchers calculated that there were around 200 fewer fatalities each year due to the lower speed limits. Expanding the scheme across the UK could save 700 lives per year, according to estimates.
More information on claiming for road accident compensation
Whether you were crossing a road with a 20mph speed limit or one with a 30mph speed limit, if you have been involved in an accident on the road and it wasn’t your fault, Camps Solicitors might be able to help you to make an accident claim. Our solicitors will look at the circumstances of your accident, including the injuries you have suffered and if we decide that you have a case to make a road accident claim, we can help you to make it under a conditional fee agreement, commonly known as a No-Win No-Fee agreement.
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