The speed management situation in United Kingdom
Problem description
Exceeding the speed limit and traveling too fast for prevailing conditions still cause a large proportion of accidents in the U.K. (26% of fatal accidents in 2005). These figures probably underestimate the true role of excessive speed.
According to RAC Motoring Report two-thirds of people break the limit daily. There has been a marked improvement in recent years in compliance with the 30 mph limit (48km/h). However, inappropriate speed remains a major problem on rural roads. Some two-thirds of deaths occurred on rural roads in 2005, with 28% of these deaths involving a driver or rider exceeding the speed limit or traveling too fast for the conditions.
Existing measures
The United Kingdom has focused on safety cameras, with a very large number of automated speed check devices across its territory.
In terms of legislation, "Netting-off" - allowing police to retain a charge from speed cameras to pay for the cost of camera enforcement during the period of heavy investment in camera systems, and changes to the penalty point structure under the Road Safety Act 2006 are other positive innovations.
The promotion of safe and considerate driving and encouraging road users to adopt appropriate speeds on UK roads are major elements of the government's work to reduce road traffic collisions and injuries.
New guidance to traffic authorities on setting local speed limits in August 2006 have been published, and traffic authorities have been asked to review the speed limits on all of their A and B roads and implement any resulting changes by 2011 in accordance with the new guidance. In particular, the guidance strengthens the importance of self-explaining limits where the road's function, traffic mix and characteristics determine an appropriate speed limit reflecting what the road looks like to the road users.
Success stories
Compliance rates in urban areas (30mph/50kph limits) is far better than a decade ago: 51% of drivers in free flowing traffic now comply; this is in great part due to the introduction of safety cameras.
20mph zones are also becoming more widespread, this probably chimes with public opinion that wants to see improved safety for children and for vulnerable road users.
What is needed for the future?
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) supports and encourages the implementation of 20 mph limits and 20 mph zones in urban areas (32km/h), and 30 mph speed limits in rural villages (48km/h); the installation of ISA systems on all fleet vehicles and the use of section control speed checks are also much awaited engineering measures for which the technology is already available.
A lot of efforts are still needed to win the hearts and minds of the public too: too many commentators in the media deny the link between speed choice and crash potential.