This new (old its been mentioned before) 50/20mph speed limit think

I just sent this email:

The Government’s proposals are not backed by any evidence. The evidence on your website shows that there is a link between speed and KSI but there is no evidence to suggest that speed is a cause of accidents. It might be in some remote cases but the far more likely causes are failure to anticipate, failure to pay attention, and other factors such as alcohol, phone or other outside factor.

It’s disappointing that the Government appears not to recognise this.

The answer is not to reduce speed limits – it will take far too long to make reasonable progress, so drivers will become impatient and be tempted to break the new limits, and all this will no doubt accompanied by excessive enforcement which will simply criminalise a large section of the driving population. It will raise even greater cynicism over the use of fixed cameras and the generation of revenue for the Government.

The answer is to address why drivers behave irresponsibly in the first place, why people fail to pay attention, why people fail to anticipate. Much of it is to do with driver education and training. The present driving test is inadequate and the Government should introduce a tougher training regime, particularly demonstrating ability to control a vehicle at speed. And to introduce much lower alcohol limits, more severe sanctions for phone usage, more severe sanctions for dangerous driving, and for other motoring offences, with lengthy bans backed up by meaningful penalties. The Government also ought to concentrate on evening out (upwards) inconsistencies in sentencing of poor drivers and should recognise the public outrage that some dangerous drivers appear to be unpunished whilst others are sent to prison.

I'm sure it's been said before, but I say replace all airbags with a large metal spike and watch driver behaviour instantly improve.

Originally Posted by Ed

I just sent this email:

The Government’s proposals are not backed by any evidence. The evidence on your website shows that there is a link between speed and KSI but there is no evidence to suggest that speed is a cause of accidents. It might be in some remote cases but the far more likely causes are failure to anticipate, failure to pay attention, and other factors such as alcohol, phone or other outside factor.

It’s disappointing that the Government appears not to recognise this.

The answer is not to reduce speed limits – it will take far too long to make reasonable progress, so drivers will become impatient and be tempted to break the new limits, and all this will no doubt accompanied by excessive enforcement which will simply criminalise a large section of the driving population. It will raise even greater cynicism over the use of fixed cameras and the generation of revenue for the Government.

The answer is to address why drivers behave irresponsibly in the first place, why people fail to pay attention, why people fail to anticipate. Much of it is to do with driver education and training. The present driving test is inadequate and the Government should introduce a tougher training regime, particularly demonstrating ability to control a vehicle at speed. And to introduce much lower alcohol limits, more severe sanctions for phone usage, more severe sanctions for dangerous driving, and for other motoring offences, with lengthy bans backed up by meaningful penalties. The Government also ought to concentrate on evening out (upwards) inconsistencies in sentencing of poor drivers and should recognise the public outrage that some dangerous drivers appear to be unpunished whilst others are sent to prison.

Like it - perhaps something along the lines of compulsory drivers education classes following offences might be good as well, e.g. first offence (3pts £60) = 1 day road craft course (lecture and on road training, similar to a Bike Safe course).... obviously the course would have to be scaled, with different length ban's being imposed and jail thereafter.

Just a thought.

If anyone notices a government petition then please link to here Ill put my name down for certain!

[Dave20046]

....together we can change the world....

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Ed

I just sent this email:

The Government’s proposals are not backed by any evidence. The evidence on your website shows that there is a link between speed and KSI but there is no evidence to suggest that speed is a cause of accidents. It might be in some remote cases but the far more likely causes are failure to anticipate, failure to pay attention, and other factors such as alcohol, phone or other outside factor.

It’s disappointing that the Government appears not to recognise this.

The answer is not to reduce speed limits – it will take far too long to make reasonable progress, so drivers will become impatient and be tempted to break the new limits, and all this will no doubt accompanied by excessive enforcement which will simply criminalise a large section of the driving population. It will raise even greater cynicism over the use of fixed cameras and the generation of revenue for the Government.

The answer is to address why drivers behave irresponsibly in the first place, why people fail to pay attention, why people fail to anticipate. Much of it is to do with driver education and training. The present driving test is inadequate and the Government should introduce a tougher training regime, particularly demonstrating ability to control a vehicle at speed. And to introduce much lower alcohol limits, more severe sanctions for phone usage, more severe sanctions for dangerous driving, and for other motoring offences, with lengthy bans backed up by meaningful penalties. The Government also ought to concentrate on evening out (upwards) inconsistencies in sentencing of poor drivers and should recognise the public outrage that some dangerous drivers appear to be unpunished whilst others are sent to prison.

To whom was this email sent Ed?

[Dave20046]

'sendmeagenerichalfarsedresponse@number10.gov.uk'

SCIENCE.

Five of the six most frequently reported contributory factors were some kind
of driver/rider error or reaction, which includes failed to look properly and
failed to judge other persons path/speed.

Scroll down a bit and there are some nice graphs and tables.

The single biggest cause of accidents is "driver error." Mostly this is "failing to look properly." Exceeding the speed limit is the cause of 5% of accidents. Going too fast for the road conditions is the cause of 12% of accidents.

To me this suggests there's a fairly large portion of people on the roads who are reckless and stupid regardless of the speed limit. Not that exceeding the speed limit causes accidents. It's a shame the government don't both listening to their own statistics but just try to manipulate headlines and balance budgets.

Simply changing the number on a sign really isnt going to make people slow down

They should try raise the standard of driving/riding so people are safe at the current speed limits rather than reduce limits to help the incompetent.

Those not competent to drive at the current speed limits should have their licence taken away, this would ease road congestion and make the roads a safer place.