An editorial in the British Medical Journal for April 29 discusses the acute problems of speed limits on our roads and the possible benefits and hazards of stipulating a 20mph limit in urban areas. It is agreed as obvious that sheer thoughtless speeding is a major contributory factor towards the accidents on roads, accounting for something like 1,200 deaths every year. It is most deplorable that some 70 per cent of motorists exceed the current urban speed limit of 30mph, and it is within areas where this limit applies that two thirds of the persons injured or killed are situated.
Why it should be that almost everybody nowadays has to proceed everywhere in a tearing hurry, and everyone who tries to take a little relaxation should be cursed, jostled and condemned as holding back progress, is one of the great mysteries of life. Beyond doubt, there is some sinister effect which comes into play whenever a person sits behind a steering wheel and presses pedals, but it is not easy to understand.
There is strong evidence that pedestrians would be safer on the streets with a speed limit of 20mph, the chances of being seriously injured or killed being 45 per cent with a limit of 30mph and 5 per cent with one of 20mph. Wherever local trials have been carried out, this simple fact has been endorsed. Nevertheless, speed is not the sole factor to consider. Consumption of alcohol, and possibly other drugs, driving when fatigued, and possessing poor driving ability all contribute.
There seems a clear case for better education of motorists. And it seems rather lamentable that magistrates' courts often take a lenient view of motoring offenders, especially those who ignore speed restrictions. Why this should be is unclear. There is a powerful school of modern thought which holds that time is money, people have to drive fast to work, and the world goes too fast to give consideration to other people. Regrettable, but true.