While 20mph zones are safer than areas with faster speed limits, they are also in highly pedestrianised areas and often near schools, which could account for the number of children and young people injured in these areas. Those aged 17 and under are at greater risk of being involved in an RTC involving a vehicle in a 20mph zone than any other age group. Half (52 per cent) of injuries caused to under 18s have occurred in 20mph zones compared to just 21 per cent of injuries to those over 18.
The time of day also has an impact on the likelihood of children and young people being injured, as they are much more likely to be injured during rush hour and the time that they arrive and leave school, than any other period. Nearly half (44 per cent) of all RTCs involving minors occur between 7-9am or 4-6pm. During rush hour, children are more than twice as likely (2.31 times) to be involved in an accident in a 20mph zone than other time of day.
The difference between a driver hitting a pedestrian at 30mph and 20mph is substantial. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), at 20mph there is a 1.5 per cent chance of being fatally injured, compared to an eight per cent chance at 30mph. Yet over a third (37 per cent) of motorists, some 14.7 million drivers, admit they do not slow down in a 20mph zone. Many motorists report that they do not even adjust their speed in areas with a high number of vulnerable pedestrians in the vicinity of hospitals (65 per cent), residential areas (53 per cent) and schools (34 per cent).
Despite the safety benefits of lower speed zones, nearly a third (30 per cent) of motorists find 20mph speed limit zones frustrating. One in 14 (seven per cent) motorists, some 2.8 million people, believe that 20mph zones are pointless which is why they exceed the speed limit when driving through these areas. This view is more likely to be held by men than women (nine per cent vs five per cent).
Alex Borgnis, Head of Car Insurance at Churchill, said:“The number of children and young people injured in pedestrian areas really highlights the risks associated with speeding, particularly in areas around schools. While we appreciate that it can feel frustrating for drivers to slow down, doing so significantly reduces the risk of serious injury to pedestrians.
“Speed limits are in place for a reason and 20mph zones are usually set because they are in these highly pedestrianised areas. It is, therefore, incredibly important that motorists pay attention to the speed limit and adjust their driving accordingly. If drivers moderate their speed and children are careful when walking to and from school, then hopefully, we can reduce the number of collisions and keep everyone safer.”
Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns at Brake, the road safety charity, said: “Speeds below 20mph are vital in built-up areas, giving drivers the chance to stop their car in time and avoid hitting pedestrians and cyclists. It’s deeply concerning that more than a third of drivers don’t slow for 20mph zones and instead selfishly prioritise their journey time over the safety of others. We urge all drivers to consider the impact of their speed and always stay within limits - stopping distances at 30mph are twice those at 20mph and that extra distance can be the difference between life and death.”
There seems to be a misconception among some motorists about why these speed limits are in place. One in eight (13 per cent) are more likely to exceed the speed limit in 20mph zones if other vehicles are doing so, while 12 per cent are more likely to speed if there aren’t any other vehicles on the road. This behaviour doesn’t take into account the fact that a 20mph zone is put in place to protect pedestrians and cyclists, not other vehicles.
Not only are motorists at risk of causing injury, they are also at risk of being penalised for speeding. In fact, nearly 1.2 million motorists have been caught speeding in 20mph zones, accounting for one in 10 motorists who have been caught speeding and more than the number of drivers who have been caught speeding on motorways. (1.05 million).
London has the highest number of RTCs involving minors of any region, with 1,481 injured in the past three years, accounting for 40 per cent of the total. This is the equivalent of 7.32 children in every 10,000, while the North West (3.88 per 10,000) and South West (2.95 per 10,000) have the lowest proportion of accidents involving minors.
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