More than two-in-five of motorists support lowering speed limits in urban areas from 30mph to 20mph, according to research by a road safety charity.
The study by IAM RoadSmart found that 44 per cent of drivers supported replacing 30mph speed limits with 20mph restrictions instead. On roads outside of schools, an overwhelming 89 per cent of motorists sampled would support the lowering of the limit.
It also found that drivers were more likely to support lowering the speed limit than they were in 2014, when the same questions were asked. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many supported the idea of a lower speed limit outside of their house, something 54 per cent agreed with when surveyed.
When asked why they thought the speed limits should be lowered, 49 per cent said it was because it would make the roads safer, while 24 per cent thought it would reduce the number of accidents and also save lives.
On the flip side, those drivers that said the limit shouldn’t be lowered said it was because 20mph was too slow and that individual roads and areas should be considered, rather than having a blanket ban.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “Improving road safety is key but a blanket ban on reducing 30mph speed limits to 20mph speed limits isn’t necessarily the best route.
“Each situation needs to be decided on a case-by-case basis, with local considerations and consultation playing an important role.”
