Do 20MPH Speed Limits Actually Work?
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I hear Wales is putting more 20mph speed limits. Just put of interest what do people think? We've got them where I sm. Personally it's a joke. People tend to ignore it. Even outside a school. We used to have temporary 20mph outside schools at drop off and pick up times. They are now all the time. Where I am we've more issue with boy racers. The police aren't interested in them but do speed checks when they are likely to get the average person doing a couple over the speed limit, (I.e. 33 in a 30) not the boy racers likely to kill by doing 60mph in a 20mph
I don't think the proof of its benefits is good enough to continue implementing it. It just makes drivers impatient which leads to them breaking the rules anyway. It means you have to allow extra time for every single journey made which is not always convenient. It is also very easy to inadvertently exceed the limit as you cannot constantly have your eyes on the speedometer, but as you say, eagle eyed cops will relish pulling over the 'easy prey'.
Its a joke when e scooters or pushbikes can streak past you with immunity at more than 20 mph , are any potential speed cameras going to identify or prosecute them , or would a police officer do the same, i doubt it , there is not enough profit there to justify the paperwork
telmel e scooters that as far as I know aren't meant to be used on roads but private land only
Jerseydrew Hmm , try telling that to some people J , it depends on the region and if they think the law applies to them
telmel I don't think bicycles are restricted to the same speed limits. They don't have compulsory speedometers so many cyclists would not know the speed they are doing. They can be prosecuted for reckless behaviour but generally they go slow up hills and faster on the flats and downhill. If 20mph zones are implemented everywhere then bicycles could be the fastest form of transport for relatively flat areas.
Oh yes 20 mph is really difficult to do. If you are a good driver you would slow down by schools anyway. The point is there are so many bad drivers out there now. Definitely seen a deterioration since I learned and passed. 25-30 is adequate. I think those speed bumps in the road are awful too. It doesn’t help anyone with medical conditions, just makes it a lot worse.
JLouM the amount of dangerous stunts I see daily is scary. We get people in their Chelsea tractors that can't drive that expect everyone else to reverse is unbelievable we've loads of narrow lanes where I am that can't fit 2 cars past and Chelsea tractors drivers won't pull into a field or reverse to where its wide enough and expect other drivers to reverse even it means going onto a mainroad
I didn't mind a 20mph limit outside schools, but it's been a nightmare since they introduced it as the default in built-up areas. It's clogging up the whole area.
It's supposed to reduce accidents and injuries, but these are usually caused by the morons who are totally ignoring the new limit anyway.
It's shambolic here in Wales it's virtually impossible to maintain a constant 20mph in a modern car it keeps veering over 20 mph so either you are constantly looking at your speedo and braking or exceeding the limit. As well as that it;'s causing a lot of frustration amongst drivers, hold ups and delays,.
Believe me it’s difficult sticking to 20 mph, you feel as though you’re going too slow and others are travelling too close as if pushing you along.
I don't drive but I would imagine it's really hard to drive at 20mph.it neither is nor isn't! I always walked or got buses to school but then they were never more than a mile away!
My sister lives in Wales, I picked her up to take her for an appointment. The 20mph is absolutely pathetic. I can understand it if it's close to a school, the police will love it,they're like the gestapo in North Wales.
It’s very commonplace to have these speed limits in city centres. Mind you, sometimes the traffic means you can’t even move at 5mph
20mph is just about 30kmh and if you've ever driven you'll know that's slow. Keep it at 30mph (+/- 50kmh) as the standard because that's [20mph] is just a way to annoy and discourage people from driving / own a car.
Of course, near houses and schools I agree with reduced speeds.
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