Riders could have access to safer roads if a charity’s campaign to reduce speed limits is successful.
Brake has argued local councils face unnecessary barriers if they wish to implement a 20mph speed limit and that these should be removed.
The road safety organisation claimed “red tape and a lack of strong national government leadership” are to blame for the difficulties councils face.
“The government is tying the hands of cash-strapped councils with outdated and unnecessary regulation,” said Dr Tom Fisher, research manager for Brake.
“20mph limits are an effective solution to unacceptably dangerous roads in our cities, towns, and villages. Ultimately, we would like to see 20mph become the default urban speed limit in the UK.”
Brake submitted a freedom of information request to all local traffic authorities in Britain regarding their decisions to implement 20mph limits or not.
It found that costs and central government guidance had stopped councils putting a 20mph speed limit in place.
“With local authority budgets under severe pressure, many councils view the cost of introducing 20mph limits as prohibitive, with much of the costs spent on installing repeater signs in line with current regulation,” said a Brake spokesman.
“Although many councils recognise this cost is likely to be outweighed in the long run by crash prevention, it is enough to discourage some. “
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Brake argued the government could reduce these costs by amending signage regulation.
“The government’s guidance on introducing 20mph limits states trouble-free compliance is likely on roads where average traffic speeds are already 24mph or below,” the spokesman added.
“This has been misinterpreted by some councils as meaning 20mph limits should not be introduced on roads with higher average speeds, when doing so has been shown to achieve greater speed reductions.”
Brake says the government should revise their guidance to make it less prohibitive.
Riders strip off for road safety
Riders in Nottinghamshire took matters into their own hands last month (27 September).
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A group hacked out in their underwear to raise awareness of road safety around horses.
11 riders stripped off and rode their horses around Seltson village. They were accompanied by three driven turnouts, and supporters on foot.
The parade was inspired by the “slow down for my horse” campaign, which was launched on Facebook earlier this year (4 August).
For more information on the Brake research, click here.
