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Brits may soon face drastic speed cuts

August 10, 2006

London, England - Speed limits on many country roads in Britain could be cut sharply in an attempt to reduce accidents, the department of transport has said.

Transport minister Stephen Ladyman said existing 60mph (about 100km/h) limits could fall on all but the best country roads, while drivers will be limited to 30mph (about 50km/h) in all villages.

"Research has... proved the correlation between speed and accident frequency and severity, and accident reductions," his department said in new "guidance" for local authorities, which set the rules for A and B roads.

Reducing average speeds by one mile per hour would cut the number of accidents by five percent, it added.

Opponents of lower speed limits accused the government of using "bad science" which could cause more accidents.

The guidance recommends a 60mph (about 100km/h) limit for the highest quality roads and 40mph (about 60km/h) for those with bends and junctions.

Drivers should be made to go slower in villages to reduce accidents involving horse-riders, walkers and cyclists.

Ladyman said: "Our new guidance encourages lowering speed limits where the evidence warrants it. but, equally, traffic authorities should consider increasing limits if it can be done safely."

Town speed limits should be cut from 30mph (about 50km/h) to 20mph (about 40km/h) in high-risk areas.

Campaign group Safe Speed, which lobbies against speed cameras, said the concept was "flawed and deadly". Lower limits could give drivers a false sense of security.

The group's founder, Paul Smith, said: "It is founded on bad science and tends to de-skill driving.

"If drivers employ less skill, more of us will die on the roads."

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety