Transport for London (TfL) is set to introduce a new 20mph speed limit across five London boroughs after monitoring reveals reduced speed limits have led to a dramatic drop in collisions.
Since the implementation of 20mph speed limits on key roads in London in March 2020 at the beginning of the lockdown the number of collisions has reduced by 25% (from 406 to 304),and collisions resulting in death or serious injury have reduced by 25% (from 94 to 71), according to TfL.
Collisions involving vulnerable road users have also decreased by 36% (from 453 to 290), while collisions involving people walking have decreased by 63% (from 124 to 46).
Currently over half of London's roads have a 20mph speed limit, of which almost 110km is on TfL's network.
The transport body is now working to lower speeds on 220km of its roads by 2024 in inner and outer London and plans to introduce a new 20mph speed limit on over 28km of roads in Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Haringey in March.
Penny Rees, TfL head of Healthy Streets Investment, said: ‘It's brilliant to see the huge impact the introduction of 20mph speed limits has had on road safety around London.
‘We are determined to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from London's roads in line with our Vision Zero goal, and this data proves that lowering speeds is crucial to achieving this goal. 20mph speed limits not only save lives, but also encourage Londoners to travel in more active and sustainable ways.
‘We look forward to seeing the expansion of the programme benefit more areas of London.’
Jeremy Leach, London campaign co-ordinator for 20's Plenty for Us, commented: ’This research underlines once again the importance of reducing vehicle speeds to a maximum of 20mph in built-up areas. Injuries are reduced and more people can feel safe to walk and cycle.
‘TfL is right to be rolling out more 20mph limits on the roads that it manages and to be calling for the default speed limit on all residential roads in London to be changed to 20mph.’
