20mph zones effective in reducing road casualties

Researchers from the University of East Anglia have argued that 20mph zones are effective in reducing the number and severity of traffic collisions and casualties.

Led by Queen’s University Belfast and funded by the National Institute for Health Research, the research provides important evidence to support the implementation of 20mph speed zones across the UK and Europe. It is part of the largest and most comprehensive study to date into the effects of 20mph speed limits and speed zones to be undertaken in the UK.

Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of preventable death globally. According to the World Health Organisation, the tenth leading cause of death worldwide is a result of road injury.

Speed limits typically involve legislation and road signage whereas speed ‘zones’ also involve the use of physical traffic calming measures such as road narrowing and speed humps.

Karen Milton, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “Our review looked at the effectiveness of 20mph speed interventions. We found that 20mph ‘zones’ which include physical traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and chicanes are associated with a reduction in the number and severity of collisions and casualties.

“There was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of 20mph ‘limits’ which include signs only and no physical infrastructure. 20mphOur ongoing research, which is evaluating 20mph speed limits in Edinburgh and Belfast, will help in understanding the effectiveness of signs only interventions.”