Driving more slowly reduces the number and severity of casualties. You are seven times more likely to survive if you are hit by a car driving at 20mph, than if you are hit at 30mph.
We want to make Argyll and Bute a better and safer place to live, work, invest and visit and reducing traffic speed helps people feel more confident about using their local streets; this includes making it safer for children to walk to school, and older people feeling more able to travel independently
It is predicted that any impacts to journey time will be small and that the roads subject to greatest change will not include strategic routes.
An evaluation by the Department for Transport (DfT) into the success of 20 mph speed limits showed that journey times are estimated to increase by 3% in residential areas, and 5% in city centre/ urban areas. In ‘real time’ this was found to add less than thirty seconds to a two-mile trip, and less than one minute to a five-mile trip.
Research has found that slower speeds encourage a smoother driving style with less stopping and starting which helps traffic to flow. In addition to this, evidence from other 20mph areas also show that, over the longer term, slower speeds encourage more people to walk and cycle, easing congestion on the road.
Our aim is to balance the needs of private car use and public transport with the safety and environment of local residents. Twenty-miles-per-hour creates a safer environment for everyone including motorists.
To ensure a consistent approach across all councils, the Scottish Government set out a assessment criteria to be considered when reducing a defined carriageway speed to 20mph. This assessment considers a number of factors, such as:
Finally, the decision on setting speed limits should also be informed by local knowledge.
The process will use Temporary Traffic Road Orders (TTRO) to implement the 20 mph speed limits. This gives the community time to experience the change and for the lower speed limit to be monitored and evaluated over a maximum period of 18 month. During this period, a measured and informed decision can then be made as to whether the 20 mph speed limit can be refined or modified.
Large 20mph signs will be installed to inform drivers and pedestrians where the speed limit changes. These signs will be accompanied by smaller repeater signs or road markings with speed limit roundels on the carriageway.
Police Scotland is supportive of improved road safety across the whole of Argyll and Bute and is working with the Council to achieve this. Police Scotland recognise speed management is an important element of this and will continue to enforce speed limits across Argyll and Bute's road network
The new speed limits will be introduced without traffic calming measures.
As people’s perceptions of ‘feeling safe’ increase, they start to feel more comfortable walking or cycling. Implemented in the right environment, 20 mph limits have real potential to encourage more active travel.
