“This is a welcome recognition from TfL that 20mph should be the default speed limit in large areas of London” says Green Assembly Member Darren Johnson, as TfL announces it will cut speed limits to 20mph on Red Routes.
Darren Johnson has welcomed Transport for London’s decision to cut speed limits to 20mph on Red Routes, starting with eight trial sites, and called on TfL and boroughs to cut speed limits to 20mph on all main roads where people shop, work and live. The first confirmed TfL pilot location will be Commercial Street in Tower Hamlets. This is planned to be introduced in April when all borough roads in Tower Hamlets are made 20mph.
Darren Johnson (centre, holding sign), Caroline Russell (third from right) and Caroline Allen (far right) campaigning for 20mph speed limits in Islington.
TfL aim to prevent 20,000 road casualties by 2020. Evidence suggests that reducing traffic speed is an effective means of reducing pedestrian and cyclist casualties. A report by the British Medical Journal claims that casualties and collisions can be reduced by up to 40%, with a 50% reduction in children killed or seriously injured, and a 17% fall in cyclist casualties. Research also suggests that a person hit by a car has a 97% chance of survival, falling to 80% at 30mph and 50% at 35mph.
Darren Johnson AM said:
“Studies have shown that 20mph speed limits do have an impact on reducing speeds and casualties, even if there are not additional enforcement measures.
“This is a welcome recognition from TfL that 20mph should be the default speed limit in large areas of London, which many local authorities are already moving towards. Both TfL and the boroughs should be bold in cutting speed limits to 20mph on all the main roads where people live, shop and work.”