20 mph Limits Were a Mistake – Apparently
Lee Waters was the Welsh minister behind the imposition of blanket restrictions on most roads in Wales. He now says ’20 mph limits were a mistake.’
He resigned his post in March this year, after a huge wave of public disagreement following the introduction of the scheme. Many thousands signed petitions and took part in demonstrations. Some even went so far as defacing the 20mph traffic signs.
When questioned over what he would have done better, Mr Lee said he would “Apply more common sense on some roads where 20mph doesn’t pass the sniff test.”
Here at UK Driving Skills, we are not exactly sure what a ‘sniff test’ is, unless Mr Lee enjoys taking in the aromas of concrete and tarmac. What we do agree with however, is that more (much more) common sense needs to applied to all areas of road building and design.
Contradictions
Changes may be coming as a result pf public pressure. Reports stated Mr Lee as saying “Some roads should revert back to 30mph and that will happen as a result of our review.” But, he is also reported as saying, “It took a long time for people to get used to seatbelts. Took a long time for people to get used to smoking in public places. But we haven’t gone backwards on any of those policies. And I don’t think we’ll go backwards on this.”
So on the one hand he his saying that there will be changes, and on the other he is saying there is not.
Fuel Efficiency
There is one key factor that most overlook with this issue however. Manufacturers don’t design vehicles to run at such low speeds. Their engines do not run efficiently, wasting fuel and causing more pollution. Opinions do differ somewhat on the figures for this. But broadly speaking, the optimum speed range for efficiency and fuel consumption is a steady 35 to 50 mph. So while collisions and casualties may drop, pollution and environmental damage also occurs.
So, 20mph limits were a mistake? Then what can governments do to make roads a safer place for everyone? Maybe they are just looking in the wrong direction? Short of just banning motor vehicles altogether, how about:
- Setting a more realistic standard for driver training and testing?
- Insisting on a much higher level of quality control over those who teach people to drive?
- Giving realistic incentives for drivers to take more advanced training?
- Confiscating the licences and vehicles of drivers who drive recklessly and dangerously?
- Handing out realistic prison sentences to those who kill on the roads? (We may need to give a few more prisoners early release first!)