About the 20mph speed limit in Wales built up areas? Which goes live tonight..

[Winot]

Just came here to post that ^

Interesting article which goes further than the Welsh policy, discussing attempts to do the same in Cornwall (by Conservatives!). Some fascinating snippets about the psychology of how road deaths are perceived.

 

[BristolEcho]

Just came here to post that ^

Interesting article which goes further than the Welsh policy, discussing attempts to do the same in Cornwall (by Conservatives!). Some fascinating snippets about the psychology of how road deaths are perceived.

Also just how selfish a lot of drivers are. There have been some really good changes in Bristol recently to improve local roads for residents as a trial, and the pushback by drivers many of them not from the area is huge.

Same with plans to improve park street so you can actually walk down it and cross the road without navigating hectic traffic.

I figured out the other day that the area I grew up in had similar schemes in place - I just always assumed it was to stop joy riding which was also common in the area. Now I see that it stops traffic from the bush main road cutting through the estate to the other main road and it meant as could generally play in that area safely.

It's all become wrapped up in "people are taking our rights away" as if those who can't afford to drive don't also have rights to use their area.

 

[edj]

Also just how selfish a lot of drivers are. There have been some really good changes in Bristol recently to improve local roads for residents as a trial, and the pushback by drivers many of them not from the area is huge.

Same with plans to improve park street so you can actually walk down it and cross the road without navigating hectic traffic.

I figured out the other day that the area I grew up in had similar schemes in place - I just always assumed it was to stop joy riding which was also common in the area. Now I see that it stops traffic from the bush main road cutting through the estate to the other main road and it meant as could generally play in that area safely.

It's all become wrapped up in "people are taking our rights away" as if those who can't afford to drive don't also have rights to use their area.

Never underestimate the selfishness of car drivers!

 

[Elpenor]

Was in Wales last week and in a car a lot, though not driving. The 20mph limit felt slow, which is good, that’s the point of it. I would have felt a lot happier being hit at the speed than 30 (if you get my drift). I wonder if the slower speed limit will increase cycling and walking?

Today I’ve filled in some sort of survey for my (English) council asking what I want them to focus on and have put a 20mph speed limit down as one of my top 5 priorities.

 

[8ball]

Was in Wales last week and in a car a lot, though not driving. The 20mph limit felt slow, which is good, that’s the point of it. I would have felt a lot happier being hit at the speed than 30 (if you get my drift). I wonder if the slower speed limit will increase cycling and walking?

Today I’ve filled in some sort of survey for my (English) council asking what I want them to focus on and have put a 20mph speed limit down as one of my top 5 priorities.

Am in Wales right now. Drove down today.
In some places a 20 limit makes perfect sense. They have probably delayed widespread adoption by implementing it like a bunch of fuckwits.

Am willing to offer my services to hit you in a car at 20 mph, but I suspect some much more preferred targets may be posting shortly.

 

[Elpenor]

Am in Wales right now. Drove down today.
In some places a 20 limit makes perfect sense. They have probably delayed widespread adopted by implementing it like a bunch of fuckwits.

Am willing to offer my services to hit you in a car at 20 mph, but I suspect some much more preferred targets may be posting shortly.

I’m sure they will

 

[alex_]

Am in Wales right now. Drove down today.
In some places a 20 limit makes perfect sense. They have probably delayed widespread adoption by implementing it like a bunch of fuckwits.

I was in wales about 8 weeks ago, and it does feel weird going from national speed limit to 20 as you drive into a village. But it seemed to be pretty widely observed, and in most cases a enough cars were observing it that it’s impossible to ignore.

Suspect most of the objections are from people who are using to driving through these places at 40, to whom 20 feels like walking backwards

 

[ddraig]

Nearly 900 fewer people injured since 20mph introduction in Wales

Figures show a 25% reduction in the number of injuries on Wales' roads in the past 18 months.

www.bbc.co.uk

Road speed reduction campaigners, 20's Plenty, said there had been 882 fewer people hurt in crashes.

 

[Tankus]

For what it's worth as a Welsh driver , I was irritated when it came out, now I'm quite happy to keep it, on the flat in 5th my car bobs along at 20mph with my foot off the throttle... Nice in the village

Middle of the road driving in the village is less stressfull too due to the lower speed. When your pushed of the kerb by on street parking, where clearance with oncoming traffic can be a sphincter squeeze, oncoming Big SUVs and such...

Worth it for the reduced accident rate, and I think it has raised more speed awareness and consideration in drivers,
Your more likely to get a nod to move out onto a busy road from a quiet side street as the speeds are lower in town and people are a bit calmer.

Some entry roads to towns or out in the sticks where 20 MPH is not a good fit are being reviewed...

I've got a Chinese GPS speedo in the corner of my windscreen, which puts my speed in line of sight, they're about a fiver, worth a punt to make you aware of speed creep, for older cars with no Hud. ( the mirrors for blind spot cover)
I use WAZE speed alerts on less familiar roads and notification of the radar pokers who have got very keen.

That m4 50 MPH limit around port Talbot on the elevated section is there to prevent yoyo speedsters ending up in someone's attic as that curve over to town is a bit too acute for Grayham Hill wannabes, plus those on and off ramps are badly positioned, it's been limited for decades.
(I went to school in sandfields, for my sins)

There's average speed cameras popping up, M4 around Newport and up valleys, a470 towards Merthyr, they be buggers them.

Overall... It's worthwhile.... on the 20mph limit in residential areas.
You just get used to it.....

Ps. None of the drivers in my family would want a whole sale return to the higher speed limit.

Someone mentioned earlier that its not being enforced, it is now, try crossing the 'diff at speed and you will lose your licence in one go , there are so many digital speed cameras.

 

[Spymaster]

I've got a Chinese GPS speedo in the corner of my windscreen, which puts my speed in line of sight, they're about a fiver, worth a punt to make you aware of speed creep, for older cars with no Hud.

Ah yes, bugger the speedometer!

Nothing screams safety quite like sticking a cheap, flickering £5 Chinese gizmo in your eyeline while you’re driving.

 

[Tankus]

Fine aviodence......