Safe Speed Forums

A sensible measure or a knee-jerk reaction?

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 822544.ece

_________________
Anyone who tells you that nothing is impossible has never bathed in a saucer of water.

They have the variable speed limits outside schools here in scotland and i have never seen anyone slow to the 20mph also they seem to flash all day at some schools all day and never switch off.

A sensible measure or a knee-jerk reaction?

We can't say because we aren't told the facts!

I have a simple yet blatantly obvious question, though I've never heard it being asked or answered:

"With current speed limits, how many children are killed each year outside schools by motorists who were either exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions (in the opinion of the investigating officer)?"

And a simple yet blatantly obvious follow-up question:

"How many of these motorists were British civilians driving a vehicle registered in their name at their correct UK address?"

Because these are the ONLY children that MAY be saved by the 20mph limit, but that gives us "x" (the +ve benefit)

And we must then ask:

"How many children are killed each year by motorists who were within the speed limit and not driving too fast for conditions, but were not paying attention"

and that gives us "y" (the -ve benefit)

Now if x-y is +ve then we should support 20mph zones at schools during opening, lunch + closing times.

But has anyone ever heard of government officials actually telling us what these numbers are?

Note these selective quotes:

"situated on the side of a busy 60mph road" and "none of the children have ever been injured"

Why?

Is it because parents + pupils are VERY careful because it feels dangerous?

We feel fear for a reason, it keeps us safe.

Would a 20mph make everyone feel safe and therefore not take so much care?

If so 20mph could directly cause injury, or even death, for the 1st time at this school !

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7599002.stm

I think this is related to the same issue. Can the police enforce a 20mph limit in this way? Are the 20mph signs that they use legal speed limit signs?

_________________
Mike