Speed limit changes could ‘save lives’ with new rules to hit eight areas

UK motorways: Highways England warns drivers of speed limits

New speed limit rules set to be introduced later this year could “save hundreds of lives” every year, according to road safety campaigners.

Gary Digva, spokesperson for Road Angel, backed Sadiq Khan’s new driving law with eight London boroughs to be affected.

Transport for London confirmed 65km of roads would be converted into new 20mph restrictions.

No firm date has been given for the new changes but officials have stressed they will launch in 2023.

Mr Digva explained: “The introduction of more 20mph roads will help to reduce road accidents and fatalities in the capital.

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“Road safety should be the top priority with the high rate of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads.

“Spain saw a 20 percent mortality rate decrease after implementing the lower speed policies, so there is substantial evidence that this will work to make our roads safer, and potentially save hundreds of lives a year.

“Lowering the speed limit in areas where there are a lot of vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, makes sense as it reduces the risk of fatalities should there be a collision.

“Not only does lowering the speed limit reduce the force and impact of a vehicle, but it also dictates if a driver is able to stop in time to avoid a crash.”

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The new measures will affect popular areas such as Greenwich, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Inner London hubs such as Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark and Wandsworth will be hit with the new restrictions.

Merton and Bromley are also on TfL’s list despite being located on the capital’s outer edges. TfL claims speed was a factor in 48 percent of fatal collisions in London in 2020 alone.

They stress the data shows a “significant reduction” in the number of collisions since the 20mph speed limit was first introduced.

They explained: “We’re lowering speed limits because if you hit someone at 30mph they’re five times more likely to die than if you hit them at 20mph.

“The work is part of the Mayor’s Vision Zero policy which aims to see no one killed or seriously injured on our roads by 2041.

“Safer speeds made a large portion of London safer for people to live, work and commute, encouraging more Londoners out of their cars to walk, cycle and use public transport. More people using healthier and more sustainable forms of travel is vital to reducing congestion and air pollution.”

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