Speed watchdog demanded

By Dan Gilbert

14th August 2006

	Speed limits are about the bluntest road safety tool we have, but since the early 1990s we've seen more and more reliance on them.

Road safety group, the Association of British Drivers, claims new government advice on lowering speed will cost lives, and wants an independent speed watchdog appointed to prevent this happening.

Mark McArthur-Christie, the ABD's Director of Policy said "Speed limits are about the bluntest road safety tool we have, but since the early 1990s we've seen more and more reliance on them. This new guidance will still allow local authorities to lower limits even further - even where there is no need - so we believe it's time that an independent speed limit watchdog is appointed."

McArthur-Christie claims that the new guidance, contained in Circular 01/2006, will see many speed limits lowered when they do not need to be, and this will increase tailgating, dangerous frustration overtakes and leading to a lack of respect for limits as the public will believe them to be ill-conceived.

"Many counties have already set artificially low speed limits on safe, clear roads yet seen no decrease in crash numbers," he added.

The guidance in the Circular effectively allows local authorities to reduce most 60mph single-carriageway roads to 50mph or below.

McArthur-Christie comments: "Local authorities have shown that they will lower limits even when there is no speed-related accident history and even when road conditions do not demand it. We need an independent limit watchdog to make sure that limits are set on road safety criteria, not political expediency."

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