The following answer some Frequently Asked Questions.
- Why Slower?
-
Derbyshire is a beautiful, mainly rural, county. Lower speed limits on all rural roads together
with more Quiet Lanes would enhance the environment for both tourists and residents. This would be
especially true for vulnerable road users.
Lower speed limits encourage alternative forms of transport - helping to protect the environment and reduce congestion.
- Why 20mph?
-
Housing and shopping areas should have a maximum speed limit of 20mph.
This is where drivers are
most likely to encounter pedestrians - especially children.
The city of Hull has successfully been adopting 20mph zones for a number of years
(see here).
Portsmouth is the first city in the UK to introduce a blanket 20mph traffic speed limit
(see here).
- Why 30mph?
-
All urban areas in villages, towns and cities should have a maximum speed limit of 30mph.
All vulnerable pavement/road users are entitled to use the facilities free of fear and anxiety.
This should be especially true when one is close to home.
People should be free to sit outside their home without thinking that they live by a race track.
- Why 50mph?
-
Most of the rural roads in Derbyshire are relatively narrow and generally have a significant number
of bends and undulations. 60mph is too fast a speed limit for these roads. The roads frequently
have vulnerable users at risk. They also have significant numbers of slow moving lorries or farm vehicles.
In a recent survey by Direct Line 75% of motorists thought that the speed limit on rural roads was too fast
at 60mph (see here).
- Why Speed?
-
There is no good reason to speed. A lot of drivers do it because they are not paying attention
to their driving/speedometer. Some drivers do it because they are running late. It seems that there is also a
significant number of drivers who enjoy driving fast and think that they can "handle it"
(they appear oblivious to the detrimental effect on vulnerable road users until an accident occurs).
Is it really worth risking another person's life, health or even just their peace of mind solely to
gain a few seconds?
- What is a Home Zone?
-
Home Zones are an attempt to strike a balance between vehicular traffic and everyone else who uses
the street, the pedestrians, cyclists, business people and residents.
Some see Home Zones as a way of "reclaiming" local streets from a traditional domination by cars.
Others see it more modestly as a way of trying to restore the safety and peace in neighbourhoods that
are becoming overwhelmed with speeding traffic.
For further information see What are Home Zones?.
- What is a Quiet Lane?
-
Quiet Lanes are low traffic lanes marked by appropriate road signs to indicate the likely
presence of vulnerable road users.
Quiet Lanes provide the chance for people to enjoy country lanes in greater safety by encouraging
drivers to slow down and drive more considerately.
For further information see
Quiet Lanes.
- What is a Community Speed Watch scheme?
-
Community speed watch schemes aim to share the responsibility for addressing speed related offending
between the community, police and other agencies.
They consist of active members of the local community who have been trained in the use of speed monitoring
equipment - occasionally supported by police officers.
Highly visible monitoring of vehicle speed is backed up by issuing warning letters to errant drivers and,
where applicable, enforcement action by police officers.
For further information see
Warrington Community SpeedWatch.
- What is a vulnerable road user?
-
A vulnerable road user is typically a pedestrian, cyclist or horse rider.
At times a moped rider or motorcyclist may be considered to be a vulnerable road user.