In a new report, the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has proposed a significant reduction in urban speed limits.

Most eye-catching is its advocation for a 10mph speed limit.

This cap is being advocated on roads near schools, hospitals, and major event venues.

Seeing ahead

These recommendations are part of a broader strategy to enhance road safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries.

While they seem extreme, the report has sparked a debate about the balancing act between road safety and efficient speeds, not to mention road design and infrastructure.

The RSF’s proposal aligns with the “Vision Zero” initiative, which aspires to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries.

Research by the foundation emphasises that lower speed limits in areas with high pedestrian and cyclist activity can significantly decrease the likelihood and severity of crashes.

Specifically, the RSF suggests:

  • Implementing 10mph speed limits in zones with high pedestrian and cyclist traffic, such as near schools and hospitals.

  • Reducing speed limits to 20mph on single-carriageway roads frequented by non-vehicular users.

  • Maintaining 30mph limits only on roads devoid of pedestrian and cyclist activity.

  • Retaining higher speed limits exclusively on motorways or dual carriageways with complete separation from pedestrians and cyclists.

However, Dr Suzy Charman of the RSF stated: “We are not saying that all speeds or speed limits should be set to these speeds,” indicating a targeted approach rather than a blanket policy.

Are you serious?

The proposal is sparking considerable debate, not least because of the headlining ’10 mph’ speed limit proposal.

Motoring groups and some members of the public have criticised this as impractical and excessively restrictive.

Concerns have been raised about potential increases in journey times and the feasibility of enforcing such low-speed limits.

Hugh Bladon from the Alliance of British Drivers branded the idea “laughable”, adding: “If you ban all motorised transport, you might reduce deaths and injury a bit, but we should remember that more people were being killed and injured in the days before motorised transport, by horses and their carriages.”

Bladon added: “It might be better to ban people from walking or cycling where there is any form of motorised transport.”

In Wales, introducing a 20mph default speed limit in urban areas in September 2023 led to a reduction of approximately 100 fatalities or serious injuries in its first year.

Despite these positive outcomes, the policy faced opposition, with critics arguing that it was too broad and impacted travel efficiency.

What’s next

The RSF acknowledges the challenges in implementing such significant changes to speed limits but emphasises the potential benefits in terms of lives saved and injuries prevented.

The foundation advocates for a combination of infrastructure improvements and speed reductions to better align with human safety thresholds.

The RSF admits putting theory into practice is complicated.

While some studies raised concerns about air quality at lower speeds, research from Imperial College London found no significant increase in exhaust emissions at 20mph.

As discussions continue, the RSF hopes that its proposals will prompt a reevaluation of current speed limits and encourage policies prioritising all road users’ safety.