Wales 20mph limit starts Sept 17th - a heads-up

[Robmac]

A substantial number of roads (right up to A road classification) in N. Ireland which have schools on or near them have temporary 20 mph signs equipped with Amber lights. When the lights are flashing the lower limit is in force. Obviously these are activated at times when pupils are entering and exiting the school. The rest of the time the normal limits apply. Naturally a lot of these are in urban areas where the normal limit is 30 mph. Fully approve of this system.

Davy

Yes, we have similar where I live.

 

[mark61]

We have road closures near schools. 8.30 > 9.15am and 3.00 . 4.00pm

Closed to all unless resident of that street.

 

[Robmac]

We have road closures near schools. 8.30 > 9.15am and 3.00 . 4.00pm

Closed to all unless resident of that street.

Now that's a cracking idea. No more huge 4x4's outside the schools everyday.

Although I expect it might displace the problem to a nearby street?

 

[mark61]

Now that's a cracking idea. No more huge 4x4's outside the schools everyday.

Although I expect it might displace the problem to a nearby street?

Trendy liberals have now replaced their 4x4's with EV's, they can't drive them either.

 

[maingate]

A substantial number of roads (right up to A road classification) in N. Ireland which have schools on or near them have temporary 20 mph signs equipped with Amber lights. When the lights are flashing the lower limit is in force. Obviously these are activated at times when pupils are entering and exiting the school. The rest of the time the normal limits apply. Naturally a lot of these are in urban areas where the normal limit is 30 mph. Fully approve of this system.

Davy

I have seen similar in Scotland, sometimes just a notice board giving the hours when it is 20 mph. English Councils don't seem to have worked that out yet and so we have 20 mph limits 24/7

 

[Robmac]

I have seen similar in Scotland, sometimes just a notice board giving the hours when it is 20 mph. English Councils don't seem to have worked that out yet and so we have 20 mph limits 24/7

The one's near us have LED signs that illuminate indicating 20 when appropriate Jim ie. during school hours.

Works quite well.

 

[maingate]

The one's near us have LED signs that illuminate indicating 20 when appropriate Jim ie. during school hours.

Works quite well.

We must be slow up here Rob I have never seen anything like that. I don't know why they need a low speed limit for schools. Normally the roads are blocked by yummy mummies dropping off or picking up their little darlings and nothing moves faster than 5 mph. It is self regulating.

 

[trevskoda]

I think that's the point Trev.

The likelyhood of getting squashed are somewhat diminished at 20mph.

You have not seen the tw-ts here, motoerway slip roads are even worse.

 

[Robmac]

You have not seen the tw-ts here, motoerway slip roads are even worse.

Yeah but I doubt they would put a 20 limit on a motorway slip road Trev!

 

[Norfolk NewBoy]

Not sure how stats would go re damage to people at 20mph rather than 30mph. Vehicles these days are designed to crumple so should be much safer to pedestrians.

Those who remember their school physics should recall that kinetic energy = 1/2 m v * v
So 20 mph giver "400" while 30mph gives "900" ie more than twice the amount of energy available to do damage to anything the vehicle hits.
Crumple zones are wonderful at protecting the driver because they absorb the energy as the metal deforms, bringing the cabin and its occupants to a slower stop. [Remember how catching a fast ball hurts less if you pull your hand backwards as it hits you: a longer time to change momentum requires a smaller force.]. I don't think that they're particularly helpful to a pedestrian, who tend to be somewhat softer than metal.

AND do we really believe that the only time young children are close to roads are when they are around schools? Other pedestrians are similarly at risk throughout the day and night, hence the need for a permanent reduction in speed in urban areas in order to protect the most vulnerable members of society. I feel sorry for anyone who believes that their need for speed outweighs these safety precautions and I think it is very sad that Sunak agrees with them.

Gordon

 

[marchie]

Those who remember their school physics should recall that kinetic energy = 1/2 m v * v
So 20 mph giver "400" while 30mph gives "900" ie more than twice the amount of energy available to do damage to anything the vehicle hits.
Crumple zones are wonderful at protecting the driver because they absorb the energy as the metal deforms, bringing the cabin and its occupants to a slower stop. [Remember how catching a fast ball hurts less if you pull your hand backwards as it hits you: a longer time to change momentum requires a smaller force.]. I don't think that they're particularly helpful to a pedestrian, who tend to be somewhat softer than metal.

AND do we really believe that the only time young children are close to roads are when they are around schools? Other pedestrians are similarly at risk throughout the day and night, hence the need for a permanent reduction in speed in urban areas in order to protect the most vulnerable members of society. I feel sorry for anyone who believes that their need for speed outweighs these safety precautions and I think it is very sad that Sunak agrees with them.

Gordon

Equally, pedestrians who believe that their need to cross the road more quickly by stepping out from behind parked cars in the roadside parking bays, rather than walking the 20-25m further to use the designated zebra crossing with dropped kerbs and the protection of traffic calming humps in the existing 20mph zone are hardly blameless ... And the speeding lycra clad mountain bike cyclists who ride on the footpaths [for safety, because the roads are too dangerous] and who refuse to concede the hierarchy of vulnerability to pedestrians ... But, it's all the motorists' fault

Steve

 

[Robmac]

Equally, pedestrians who believe that their need to cross the road more quickly by stepping out from behind parked cars in the roadside parking bays, rather than walking the 20-25m further to use the designated zebra crossing with dropped kerbs and the protection of traffic calming humps in the existing 20mph zone are hardly blameless ... And the speeding lycra clad mountain bike cyclists who ride on the footpaths [for safety, because the roads are too dangerous] and who refuse to concede the hierarchy of vulnerability to pedestrians ... But, it's all the motorists' fault

Steve

You might have just opened Pandora's box Steve!

 

[Nabsim]

People should take responsibility for their actions. If someone wants to step out onto a road late at night without making sure it is safe to do so then I would say they don’t care what happens to them.
I already said I am good with whatever speeds is posted but I do not agree with a nanny state.

 

[Glandwr]

Told you that England would follow with the 20mph. Cornwall CC (Tory) has just declared that they will go ahead.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv20827d1y0o

Salop and Cheshire (also Tory) are apparently seriously considering

 

[trevskoda]

90% of speed limits here are not attered to,however the 20mph flashing lights during school hrs is corect and should even be brought down to 15mph, some other roads with 30 limits should be steped up to 40, Antrim rd from my hovil to belfast 6 miles 30mph, but most are doing 40 anyway.

 

[maingate]

Told you that England would follow with the 20mph. Cornwall CC (Tory) has just declared that they will go ahead.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv20827d1y0o

Salop and Cheshire (also Tory) are apparently seriously considering

It proves the Conservatives are much more caring than the Labour Party.

 

[Glandwr]

Or confused. When the bill bringing in the 20mph limit was passed by the Welsh govt in 2020 it was supported by all parties. Only one Tory MS dissented, now every single Tory politician in Wales is condemning it as a mad Drakeford plot to curtail freedom!

 

[dave and mary]

Lots of other places to go, so no problem.

 

[Glandwr]

.... for now

 

[colinm]

Well we've just got back from a fortnight in Wales and as far as I'm concerned it's not an issue, of much more concern to us was the lousy weather and stupid parking rules/charges in many carparks.