Latest news with #RoadSafetyFoundation
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Speed limits of 10mph would reduce road deaths, charity report finds
Speed limits would need to be cut to 10mph on certain roads to prevent deaths and life-changing injuries, a study published by the Road Safety Foundation has suggested. The report explained that reducing the speed limits on roads surrounding schools, hospitals and in the vicinity of major events such as concerts or football matches could reduce accidents. The charity said that a speed limit of 10mph would mean less than one in 10 road accidents would result in someone being killed or seriously injured. Although the Road Safety Foundation has not made any recommendations about what speed limits would be appropriate, it did highlight that lower speeds would reduce deaths. It added that in locations where pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists are mixed with cars, a 20mph speed limit would make it safer. A speed limit of 30mph would be only suitable where there are no pedestrians or cyclists, and head-on collisions and side impacts are possible only between cars, it added. In a comment following the report, the charity explained that these 'safe speeds' are 'very low, possibly lower than most practitioners and policy makers may have understood previously'. The report concluded: 'Prioritising speed management will substantially reduce fatalities and serious injuries, bringing road systems closer to achieving Vision Zero goals. 'Any reduction in operating speeds toward the identified 'safe' speeds will have a meaningful impact on road safety.' Vision Zero is the charity's ambition to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries based on 'the moral position that no death or serious injury should be considered an acceptable by-product of mobility'. It comes after the Welsh government changed every road that had a 30mph limit to 20mph, unless it was given an exemption by the local authority. It was made the default speed limit in September 2023, but almost two-thirds of people in Wales objected to the change, according to YouGov. Since it was implemented, more than 100,000 drivers have been caught breaking the new speed limit. Data from the road safety partnership GoSafe revealed 112,699 offences were committed up to March 2025. The highest speed recorded was 89mph in January 2025 in north Wales, with several cases of 88mph recorded across the country. But the average speed recorded was about 28mph. In some urban areas, the Welsh government reverted the changes back to 30mph following protests against the change.
Leader Live
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
10mph on some Welsh roads 'interesting' idea, minister says
It comes after a Welsh Government minister described the suggestion of reducing the limit on some roads to 10mph an "interesting" idea. Jane Hutt, the Trefnydd (leader of the house), made the comments in the Senedd this week - in reference to a report by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF). The RSF report sates: "Based on the latest publicly available research, the evidence-based maximum operating speeds on British roads if most deaths and life-changing injuries are to be avoided are as follows: "10mph where there is a particular prevalence of pedestrians and/or bicyclists and/or motorcyclists, or where there is a heightened vulnerability of pedestrians to impact and injury (e.g. around schools, around hospitals, and in the vicinity of major sports or social/cultural events). "20mph in other locations where pedestrians and/or bicyclists and/or motorcyclists mix with cars. "20mph where cars and HGVs mix and where: head-on collisions are possible (i.e. single carriageways) or side impacts are possible (e.g. at T-junctions and crossroads). "30mph where head-on collisions and side impacts are possible only between cars." The report concludes: "The expert panel agreed that those working toward a Safe System should aim for operating speeds where no more than 10% of collisions result in a death or serious injury. Where there is no option to segregate road users of different mass from one another, the speeds required to remain within the 10% threshold are much lower than current operating speeds and often lower than even many road safety professionals might expect. "Where these speeds are not implemented, a higher risk of serious or fatal injury is effectively being toleratedTranslating these findings into policy and practice is complex. Where operating speeds are higher than the speeds identified, the potential strategies are to bring operating speeds down, improve infrastructure provision, or both. "Translating these findings into policy and practice is complex. Where operating speeds are higher than the speeds identified, the potential strategies are to bring operating speeds down, improve infrastructure provision, or both. Further work is needed to develop comprehensive speed management guidelines." MORE NEWS: The RSF has since issued a statement following the publication of its report. It clarifies: "Our report is a technical research paper directed to practitioners and policy makers. It seeks to determine the speeds at which fewer than 10 per cent of people would be killed or seriously injured in a collision – a level of risk considered by experts to align towards a Safe System. It is clear is that these 'safe speeds' are very low, possibly lower than most practitioners and policy makers may have understood previously. "The Road Safety Foundation has not made ANY recommendations about what speed limits would be appropriate; however, we do say that 'In the meantime, prioritising speed management will substantially reduce fatalities and serious injuries, bringing road systems closer to achieving Vision Zero goals. Any reduction in operating speeds toward the identified 'safe' speeds will have a meaningful impact on road safety'." Responding to a question in the Senedd on the report, Ms Hutt said: "It is interesting that that association did come forward with proposals, based on evidence, that in some circumstances 10mph, 5mph is appropriate in terms of road speeds." She said the evidence had shown the rollout of the 20mph speed limit had "not only saved lives, cut insurance bills, but actually has now been welcomed by the people of Wales". Her comments come as the first roads in Wrexham revert to 30mph following the Welsh Government's review of the 20mph limit last summer. And Ken Skates, Transport Secretary, has said there are "no plans to reduce speed limits to 10mph in Wales". Mr Skates said the change in limit in some areas was "about getting the right speeds on the right roads". Welsh Conservatives leader, Andrew RT Davies, described any thoughts of further reducing speed limits in Wales as "ludicrous".
Sky News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
'No plans' to reduce speed limit to 10mph in Wales
The Welsh government has said there are "no plans" to reduce the speed limit to 10mph on some roads. It comes as a Welsh government minister called the suggestion of reducing the limit to 5 or 10mph an "interesting" idea. Jane Hutt, the Trefnydd (leader of the house), made the comments in the Senedd earlier this week, in response to a report by the Road Safety Foundation. The Road Safety Foundation said in a statement that it had "not made any recommendations about what speed limits would be appropriate". Its technical research paper noted that "translating these findings into policy and practice is complex" and that further work was needed to "develop comprehensive speed management guidelines". Responding to a question in the Welsh parliament on the report, Ms Hutt said: "It is interesting that that association did come forward with proposals, based on evidence, that in some circumstances... 10mph, 5mph is appropriate in terms of road speeds." She said the evidence had shown the rollout of the 20mph speed limit had "not only saved lives, cut insurance bills, but actually has now been welcomed by the people of Wales". New data released on Wednesday revealed the number of collisions on 20mph and 30mph roads was at a record low in 2024 - the first full year since the default speed limit in Wales was changed in September 2023. Former leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said the minister's failure to rule out a further reduction in the speed limit was "ludicrous". But Ken Skates, the cabinet secretary for transport, said there are "no plans to reduce speed limits to 10mph in Wales". A YouGov poll published this week found more than half (52%) of people in Britain would oppose a 10mph speed limit. On Wednesday, Mr Skates was in Wrexham as the first roads in North Wales were changed back to 30mph. Mr Skates said the change in limit in some areas was "about getting the right speeds on the right roads". It follows a review of the guidance for local authorities, commissioned by the government, after a record-breaking petition on the Senedd's website called for the policy to be reversed.
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
10mph speed limit on some roads is 'interesting' idea says Welsh Government minister
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Evidence that lower speed limits might be needed on some roads has been labelled 'interesting' by a senior cabinet minister in Wales. The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) said 10mph or even 5mph would be needed if collisions were to result in fewer than 10% of people killed or seriously injured. By this metric, the charity said 20mph limits on country roads and single carriageways would be needed. But it accepted that translating these findings into policy and practice is 'complex'. If implemented, it could see 10mph limits on thousands of miles of roads. The notion has been condemned as 'farcical' and 'ludicrous' but a YouGov poll this week found that 40% of adults would support the policy. The RSF suggested the 10mph limit might apply around schools, hospitals and sporting, social and cultural venues. These are areas with more pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists who could be seriously hurt or killed if struck at a higher speeds, said the charity. In 2023 Wales became the first UK country in the UK to reduce maximum speed limits in built-up areas to 20mph. In a plenary meeting on Tuesday, May 20, the Senedd's Leader of the House Jane Hutt was invited to ruled out 10mph limits in Wales. At the session, Laura Anne Jones MS for South Wales East, said: 'In most places, the idea would be laughed out of town, but after the Welsh Government's disastrous default 20mph speed limit, I think we need some reassurance.' In response, the Social Justice Secretary said the lower speed limits in Wales have been supported by the public. Ms Hutt said: 'It is interesting that that association (RSF) did come forward with proposals, based on evidence, that in some circumstances, 10mph – let alone 10 mph, 5mph – is appropriate in terms of road speeds. 'I think all the evidence has shown that the roll-out of the 20mph speed limit in Wales, as appropriately instigated by local authorities, has not only saved lives, cut insurance bills, but actually has now been welcomed by the people of Wales.' Polls have consistently shown a majority of people in Wales remain opposed to the default 20mph limit. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline) Tory MS Laura Anne Jones was disappointed the Welsh Government hadn't taken the opportunity to rule out 10mph zones. She said: 'The 20mph speed limit has already been a disaster, and reducing the limit to 10mph would be an attack on motorists that would see runners and mobility scooters overtaking cars. 'It would be farcical, and it needs to be nipped in the bud. Everyone would support 20mph outside schools and hospitals, but this never-ending attack on motorists has to stop.' The RSF said its proposals would help reach 'vision zero', the long-term aim of no deaths or or serious injuries on UK roads. In its 'Determining Safe Speeds' report, the foundation said its ideas were 'evidence-based' and lower speeds should be considered an 'acceptable by-product of mobility'. The charity accepted its calculated safe speeds were "very low, possibly lower than most practitioners and policy makers may have understood previously". The report said modifying road infrastructure was crucial if the 10% mortality/injury target was to be met. It suggested 30mph limits were acceptable on roads not regularly used by cyclists or pedestrians. On motorways and some dual carriageways, faster speeds were only acceptable if they had no T-junctions or crossroads, or 'fully segregated facilities' for pedestrians or cyclists. Speaking to The Times, executive director Dr Suzy Charman said: 'We are not saying that all speeds or speed limits should be set to these speeds, rather that infrastructure needs to be improved or speeds reduced to ensure travelled speeds are better aligned with human tolerances to crash forces.' Hugh Bladon from the Alliance of British Driver described the suggested limits were 'laughable'. He suggested that, to achieve further road casualty reductions, it 'might be better to ban people from walking or cycling'. He added: 'If you ban all motorised transport you might reduce deaths and injury a bit, but we should remember that more people were being killed and injured, in the days before motorised transport, by horses and their carriages.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening on the roads near you
North Wales Live
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
10mph speed limit on some roads is 'interesting' idea says Welsh Government minister
Evidence that lower speed limits might be needed on some roads has been labelled 'interesting' by a senior cabinet minister in Wales. The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) said 10mph or even 5mph would be needed if collisions were to result in fewer than 10% of people killed or seriously injured. By this metric, the charity said 20mph limits on country roads and single carriageways would be needed. But it accepted that translating these findings into policy and practice is 'complex'. If implemented, it could see 10mph limits on thousands of miles of roads. The notion has been condemned as 'farcical' and 'ludicrous' but a YouGov poll this week found that 40% of adults would support the policy. The RSF suggested the 10mph limit might apply around schools, hospitals and sporting, social and cultural venues. These are areas with more pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists who could be seriously hurt or killed if struck at a higher speeds, said the charity. In 2023 Wales became the first UK country in the UK to reduce maximum speed limits in built-up areas to 20mph. In a plenary meeting on Tuesday, May 20, the Senedd's Leader of the House Jane Hutt was invited to ruled out 10mph limits in Wales. At the session, Laura Anne Jones MS for South Wales East, said: 'In most places, the idea would be laughed out of town, but after the Welsh Government's disastrous default 20mph speed limit, I think we need some reassurance.' In response, the Social Justice Secretary said the lower speed limits in Wales have been supported by the public. Ms Hutt said: 'It is interesting that that association (RSF) did come forward with proposals, based on evidence, that in some circumstances, 10mph – let alone 10 mph, 5mph – is appropriate in terms of road speeds. 'I think all the evidence has shown that the roll-out of the 20mph speed limit in Wales, as appropriately instigated by local authorities, has not only saved lives, cut insurance bills, but actually has now been welcomed by the people of Wales.' Polls have consistently shown a majority of people in Wales remain opposed to the default 20mph limit. Tory MS Laura Anne Jones was disappointed the Welsh Government hadn't taken the opportunity to rule out 10mph zones. She said: 'The 20mph speed limit has already been a disaster, and reducing the limit to 10mph would be an attack on motorists that would see runners and mobility scooters overtaking cars. 'It would be farcical, and it needs to be nipped in the bud. Everyone would support 20mph outside schools and hospitals, but this never-ending attack on motorists has to stop.' The RSF said its proposals would help reach 'vision zero', the long-term aim of no deaths or or serious injuries on UK roads. In its 'Determining Safe Speeds' report, the foundation said its ideas were 'evidence-based' and lower speeds should be considered an 'acceptable by-product of mobility'. The charity accepted its calculated safe speeds were "very low, possibly lower than most practitioners and policy makers may have understood previously". The report said modifying road infrastructure was crucial if the 10% mortality/injury target was to be met. It suggested 30mph limits were acceptable on roads not regularly used by cyclists or pedestrians. On motorways and some dual carriageways, faster speeds were only acceptable if they had no T-junctions or crossroads, or 'fully segregated facilities' for pedestrians or cyclists. Speaking to The Times, executive director Dr Suzy Charman said: 'We are not saying that all speeds or speed limits should be set to these speeds, rather that infrastructure needs to be improved or speeds reduced to ensure travelled speeds are better aligned with human tolerances to crash forces.' Hugh Bladon from the Alliance of British Driver described the suggested limits were 'laughable'. He suggested that, to achieve further road casualty reductions, it 'might be better to ban people from walking or cycling'. He added: 'If you ban all motorised transport you might reduce deaths and injury a bit, but we should remember that more people were being killed and injured, in the days before motorised transport, by horses and their carriages.'
