How reducing city speed limits has cut road deaths and injuries in Edinburgh
A study published by the University of Edinburgh demonstrates the effectiveness of reducing speed limits in the city, with a quarter fewer deaths and a third fewer injuries on the roads compared to the time before 2016 when the speed limit was higher.
As a result, the number of collisions has dropped by 40%. In fact, fatalities have dropped by 23% and serious injury by 33% since the introduction of these new regulations surrounding speed limits in the city. As such, a correlation is effectively established between the decrease in speed in town and the decrease in the number of fatalities and accidents. It should also be noted that previously, 45% of cars in Edinburgh were traveling at more than 25 mph (about 40 km/h), a figure that has since fallen to 31%.
To come to these conclusions, the researchers worked with local authorities. In Edinburgh, the implementation of this 20 mph speed limit took place from 2016 to 2018. This limit now applies to about 80% of the city’s streets. In addition to road safety, the idea is to promote walking and soft mobility, while making entire neighborhoods more welcoming and user-friendly, as they are less noisy and stressful.
In fact, the number of accidents has decreased without additional measures, such as traffic-calming or monitoring. In fact, only the speed limit signs needed to be changed.
This is the most comprehensive study to date of 20 mph speed limits in the UK. Note that the research also covers Belfast, but the speed limit program there is currently limited to a few city center streets, resulting in only a slight decrease (2%) in crashes and road deaths. The example of Edinburgh is much more revealing.
