Motor insurance: 20mph speed limits proposed

Tuesday, 16 October 2007

In an effort to reduce the number of accidents occurring on roads in the UK, 20mph speed limits should be imposed in towns, it has been claimed.

Robert Gifford, spokesman for the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that such measures would help to save lives.

According to Mr Gifford, a study conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory found that accidents involving children fell by 67 per cent in 20mph zones.

The organisation also called for speed cameras to be used in speed zones under 30mph - a move which could impact upon motorists' car insurance premiums.

Such a system could help to foster a culture on Britain's roads which "encourages people to look out for each other and look after each other", Mr Gifford claimed.

Introducing lower speed limits would also benefit motorists, he stated, suggesting that they are pedestrians too.

However, Paul Smith, founder of Safespeed.org.uk, criticised the proposals, claiming that the move would create greater regulation instead of placing more responsibility in the hands of motorists.

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