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Sunday Times, October 2, 2005
by Dipesh Gadher, Transport Correspondent
THE government has ordered a review of speed limits on most of Britain's roads in an attempt to win back the confidence of motorists. The move is likely to result in hundreds of local speed limits being raised on accident-free roads, but lowered to 20mph in more sensitive areas, such as around schools.
In potentially the biggest shake-up of speed limits for a decade, the Department for Transport is to issue new guidelines to local authorities urging them to set thresholds at "appropriate" levels.
Ministers acknowledge that many drivers feel they are being unnecessarily penalised for speeding, and believe it would be fairer for limits to be raised by 10mph on certain 30, 40 and 50mph roads.
However, raising the limit on motorways above the current 70mph has been ruled out. Government research is said to indicate such an increase would lead to more accidents.
"I want all councils to be reviewing all speed limits because nothing brings a speed limit into disrepute more than drivers feeling that it's entirely inappropriate for the circumstances," said Stephen Ladyman, the road safety minister.
"An indication that that might be the case . . . is where there are lots of (people being caught) speeding on a particular road and no evidence of any accidents."
Ladyman said he wanted to "strike a deal" with motorists who have become increasingly sceptical about speed cameras. More than 2m drivers received speeding fines last year compared with 260,000 in 1996.
Many drivers are caught out by speed limits chopping and changing along the same road.
"One of the problems we have with getting motorists to obey speed limits is that they don't believe that some of the lower speed limits are necessary and they think they were put in place years ago and have never been reviewed," said Ladyman.
"In order to regain motorists' confidence, I want to strike a deal with them. I am expecting that this will mean some speed limits will be adjusted downwards, but some will be adjusted upwards."
Local authorities control 98% of the country's roads, including B-roads and some A-roads, but not motorways, which come under the remit of the Highways Agency.
It will be down to individual councils to implement any changes to speed limits in consultation with the police. The changes are expected to take place over several years.
More 20mph zones, particularly around schools in residential areas, are likely to be created as a result of the transport department guidelines, which will be issued this autumn.
By contrast, historical speed limits could be raised on "free-flowing" roads where layout has been improved or where traffic conditions have changed over time.
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