The national speed limit may be cut from 60mph to 50mph on thousands of single-carriageway roads in rural areas, if government ministers’ plans are approved. Although the speed limit change would affect thousands of miles of roads across Britain, there are no plans to change road signage to give drivers warning of the changes; instead the national speed limit sign would now mark the beginning of a 50mph speed limit, rather than the current 60mph.
With accident statistics showing that drivers on rural roads are 3 times as likely to die per mile they drive compared to motorists on urban roads, the plan to reduce the speed limit is clearly motivated by a desire to make these roads safer. Also concerns about fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from faster cars have played a part in bringing forward the proposals.
The situation could lead to confusion for drivers as some roads would be allowed to retain the 60mph limit, providing the local authority responsible for the stretch of road could prove that it was safe for the limit to remain at 60. The Department for Transport released figures from its own research showing that there might be around 250 fewer fatalities if the speed limit on rural roads was at 50mph.
The plans to lower the speed limits have received criticism from road safety groups who have said that a lower limit would have little difference to road safety without measures to increase the enforcement of speed limits and without changes to the design of rural roads. They argue that money should be invested in improvement works at known car accident black-spots and also in improvements to visibility at junctions.
As a firm of solicitors specializing in making compensation claims on behalf of drivers and passengers injured in rural road accidents, Camps Solicitors welcome any moves to increase road safety. Every day we come across people who have been involved in accidents where other motorists were driving at speeds above the speed limit, or on roads whose poor design meant they were unsafe even for drivers travelling within the speed limit. However we also recognize that it is the responsibility of all motorists to drive at a speed that is safe and appropriate for the type of road on which they are travelling, regardless of whether the speed limit allows them to travel at a higher speed.
To speak to one of our road accident solicitors about making a compensation claim for an accident on a rural road, call Camps Solicitors.
Call 0800 092 8586
Speak to one of our claims advisors about your claim.
I’ve seen that implemented quite a few places around London now and was wondering why. Now i understand! However the signs have been changed to reflect the new speed limit of 50mph though! Coincidence?