Two-thirds of Brits say no to more 20mph zones despite evidence they save lives

Plans to extend 20mph speed limits across more UK roads are facing resistance, a recent survey suggests.

The survey by insurance comparison site Quotezone.co.uk found that 66% of drivers opposed lowering key 30mph roads to 20mph. The study of 1,000 people also revealed that 67% consider 20mph limits too slow.

It’s now up for debate in light of the government’s Road Safety Strategy, which aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035. One of the plans in mind is updating guidance for setting local speed limits, potentially altering the existing 30mph default on urban streets.

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Wales has already taken the lead, introducing a default 20mph limit on some residential and built-up roads, Scotland and England are gradually following suit. That said, the Welsh government is in the process of reverting hundreds of roads back to 30mph due to significant public backlash.

In London, over half of urban roads now have 20mph limits, while the North West region has implemented them on more than 45% of roads.

Evidence from these areas shows significant benefits. In the first year after Wales introduced the new 20mph limits, around 100 fewer people were killed or seriously injured. Studies indicate that even a 1mph reduction in average speed can reduce crash frequency by approximately 5%.

Greg Wilson, CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, said: “Our research suggests many drivers remain unconvinced about reducing key 30mph roads to 20mph, often due to concerns about journey times and practicality.

“However, data from Wales demonstrates that lower limits can significantly improve road safety. Local authorities must balance public opinion, safety, congestion, and road user needs when deciding speed limits.”

Lowering speed limits drastically reduces the risk of severe injuries or fatalities in accidents. For example, a pedestrian hit at 30mph is roughly five times more likely to die than if struck at 20 mph, with fatality risk rising from around 1.5-2.5% at 20 mph to 8-20% or more at 30 mph, according to research by both The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and Transport for London (TfL).

As discussions to lower speed limits continue across the UK, it’s important to adjust your speeds when new limits are introduced and prioritise road safety. Driving slower gives you more time to react to hazards, reduces the severity of accidents, and protects vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

Stay alert to changing signage to avoid fines and penalty points. These measures can also benefit your insurance by reducing the risk of collisions, which may help lower premium costs over time.

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