Stephen Williams MP Calls For Speed Limit Reduction
November 8, 2007 3:05 PM
Stephen Williams MP has today backed a new proposal by road safety organisation 'Brake' to reduce speed limits in urban areas from 30mph to 20mph. The campaign, 'Watch Out There's A Kid About', has been introduced to coincide with the national Road Safety Week.
Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat schools spokesman, commented:
"The UK has one of the worst child pedestrian death rates in Western Europe. I fully support Brake's campaign to slow down traffic around schools and residential areas."
"One in eleven children in the South West are killed or seriously injured every month by vehicles. Clearly the speed limits have to be lowered. Statistics show that a child hit by a car at 40mph has 85% chance of being killed, whilst at 20mph, the child instead has a 90% chance of survival."
"As well as children, reduced speed limits would benefit cyclists. One of the most common reasons that people give for not cycling is that they feel that the roads are not safe enough. Reducing the speed limit will help to raise their confidence in the safety of roads. Not only would this help reduce congestion, but it is also more environmentally friendly."
Liberal Democrat MP John Leech has introduced a bill to Parliament that calls for the speed limit in urban areas to be reduced from 30mph to 20mph.
'Brake' is encouraging people to call their hotline on 0800 68 77 80 to report roads in their area where children are in danger.
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