Pushing the Limits:

Abstract

This article reviews new government guidance on lowering speed limits on heavily-trafficked roads in mostly rural areas of the UK. Most sites need engineering measures to be considered first: however, one council, Derbyshire, has implemented new limits backed by speed reduction measures and has reduced the number of accident 'black spots'. The costs of engineering measures is often prohibitive. It is noted that minor roads which attract heavy traffic also need attention, and lower limits on major roads could increase the amount of traffic on minor roads. The new guidance suggests that lower limits can be introduced where a community sees them as necessary, or to protect environmentally sensitive areas. The necessary speed surveys are expensive and provide only restricted information on the road as a whole. Support is not always forthcoming from local police forces for new lower limits where these may be difficult to enforce. A case study from the county of East Sussex demonstrates various uses of the new guidance. (A)