Speed doesn't kill

UK has announced the scrapping of targets to free the police from red tape so they can concentrate on their job of solving crime.

The accumulation of coercive measures is increasingly alarming. It’s the speeding ticket received last year by my mother, 82 (age, not speed – she was doing 140 – only joshing). Schadenfreude aside, it's Anne Robinson's ban after being clocked at 43mph, no doubt in perfect safety. It's the bus lane penalty against the gentleman who pulled over for a fire engine and still had to pay the fine. It's the £650 penalty for unwittingly entering the congestion zone and not realising you had!

It’s the threat of years in prison for using a mobile phone, even static in a traffic jam, when traffic controls themselves take your eyes off the road and disturb peace of mind. It's the whole culture of intolerance and enforcement.

A limit implies a universally-applicable safe speed. No such thing. A posted limit licenses motorists to drive at that speed. But even 20 might be inappropriate in a busy street. One-size-fits-all limits can't fit all circumstances. They neglect the most important clue to appropriate speed: context.

Swindon is breaking ranks over speed cameras partly because some commonsense is filtering through. Sure, they are unhappy about speed camera revenue going to central government. They want the money so they can spend it – albeit on more enlightened measures.

If there is doubt about the value of speed cameras, what if speed limits themselves are counterproductive? Pure heresy! This might be too subtle a concept for politicians and pressure groups such as BRAKE to handle, but speed does not kill. It’s inappropriate speed, or speed in the wrong hands that kills.

Who is the better judge of appropriate speed – you and me at the time and the place, or limits fixed by absent regulators? On single-track country roads there are speed derestriction signs. On long uninterrupted stretches of the six-lane North Circular, 40mph limits.

When the 55mph US National Speed Limit was lifted in 1995, Montana reverted to no speed limits. During the period of NO limits, despite an increase in traffic volume of 15%, fatalities fell to an all-time low. Average speeds remained similar, and there was an improvement in lane courtesy, with use of the inside lane bringing an increase in road capacity. "The desired effect of speed limits," wrote traffic researcher, Chad Dornsife, "is achieved by removing them".

In 1999, speed limits and enforcement were re-introduced. In the first year, the record low of 101 fatalities with no limits rose to a new high of 143 fatalities with limits. A 6 year downward trend went into reverse. In 2000, the Department recorded a record low in miles travelled, but a record high in fatal accidents.

“In traffic engineering findings,” wrote Dornsife, “the vehicles travelling faster than average have the lowest accident rates, yet they are the primary targets of speed enforcement.”

In towns such as Drachten in Holland, where road-users are integrated in “shared space” streets stripped of traffic lights and signage, accidents and congestion have melted away. With their new-found freedom from regulation, people discover untapped reserves of mutual tolerance and respect. It’s conceivable that greater autonomy on the open road could stimulate civilised interaction too. Let’s put it to the test! Some years ago I suggested the idea of a trial to Cambridge. Off the record, motorway police were enthusiastic. On the record? Nothing doing.

Valid environmental objections to high speeds – that they increase fuel consumption and emissions – are irrelevant for zero-emissions cars such as the all-electric Tesla, and not very relevant for cars with “tall” top gears such as the Polo Bluemotion or Fiat Bravo Active Eco. One day we’ll all be driving “green” cars.

Swindon is considering constructive ways to use its road safety budget. Let’s hope they spend it on positive measures that get the best out of people rather than on negative ones that put people at odds with their surroundings. Anyone for a no-speed limits trial?

Credits: Jarvis