Posted on Tuesday 8 April 2008
Update: As strange as it sounds more than 12 million people in the UK, roughly two out of every five drivers, would welcome a 20mph speed limit on their city’s streets according to the results of a new survey run by leading dealer network Motorpoint. A number of cities in the UK have already rolled out the 20mph speed limits but contrary to the latest finding authorities still fear most drivers will simply ignore the blanket limit. The government is already having a tough time persuading drivers to abide to the 30mph limit already established in many cities.
The results of this new survey will only strengthen Ken Livingstone’s determination to roll out the blanket speed limit across London’s residential areas, one of his promises if re-elected to a third term of office.
Original: Just weeks after announcing the congestion charge to enter the center of London will rise by over 300%, the city’s controversial mayor, Ken Livingstone, is now lobbying for a reduction in speed limits in all residential zones to just 20mph (32km/h) if he is re-elected to a third term of office.
Livingstone claims the new speed limit will dramatically reduce the number of road deaths in London, stating that 90% of pedestrians die if hit at 40mph while just 2.5% die if hit at 20mph, Reuters reports. Following on from this Livingstone-logic, it would make sense to reduce the speed limit to 10mph, which would in all likelihood eliminate pedestrian death.
The announcement may come as chagrin to some British motorists who have already had to put up with Livingstone’s congestion charge, which was put in place to combat emissions problems in the center of London. Considering that most experts agree the most economical rate of travel for a car is within the 40mph-70mph range, a reduction in speed limits to just 20mph would effectively be creating more emissions.
While Porsche has asked for a judicial review of Livingstone’s congestion charge, it remains uncertain whether any lobby groups will defend the current speed limits - perhaps the most direct action for Londoners would be to not re-elect Livingstone, who is vying for a third term in office and a chance to lead London during its 2012 Olympic Games.
Well done! He has once again proven that he hates cars. I’m telling you, in five years Heathrow will be closed and transformed into a park.
You Brits continuously elect politicians who take away freedom in your country.
If he is re-elected, you deserve it.
In all fairness, one must point out that the Britons aren’t a particularly freedom loving people. How anyone nowadays could submit to a Monarchy, be it purely symbolic or otherwise, is beyond me.
Wow, this guy just mows over everyone to get what he wants.
Amazing to me that this is what the Britons want, but I guess they must, since he is elected.
Here’s hoping it never happens here in my lifetime…
Give me a break, you sanctimonious people!
First, you elected George W. Bush at least once. That removes your right to smugness right there. At least “Red Ken” can formulate a complete sentence by himself.
Second, I would argue that the outrageous parking rates in NYC operates just as effectively to keep excessive numbers of cars off the streets. The big difference is that in NYC all that money goes to private institutions whereas in London the government will use that cash for other municipal projects.
Third, if you had a government that you could be proud of, you would understand why Londoner’s accept that.
I know America bashing is a popular as owning a Prius, but don’t just try to make someone else look bad so you can excuse the joke that is your driving system…
After all, this is a car site…
And besides, it’s not just Americans that think Livingston is a left wing liberal joke, but you’re right, I’m sure when you’re all walking to work the world will be safe and clean!
i’m with roy on this one. and i’m sure almost every new yorker would be too. There are places where 99% of all people walk to work. or ride a bike. or a bus.
don’t slam their politics, or politicians.
at least this guy makes his intentions known. and STAYS IN GOVERNMENT. so you can’t smash the guy. he’s clearly representing the people’s wishes. and dont slam the people. if they collectively want some one, who are you to say what they can and cant do.
It’s my understanding that you can’t really get over 20mph in london anyways, because of the traffic, the width of the roads, and the path that those roads cut. this more or less would just make the “speed limit” an official legality.
point being; there are places where people dont drive nearly as fast as in the USA. take canada for example. there’s a national speed limit of 100 kmph (60 mph). and unlike the USA, provincial governments cannot override this. In germany, there are roads with no speed limits what so ever. I’m sure there are countries where the national speed limit is even lower than 60 mph.
the people get what the people want.
This just in from the New York Times - the NY State Assembly has just killed Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan.
I hope he wins. Only when things get bad enough do people wake up and rise against injustices. Apparently in London things haven’t gotten bad enough.
I will be LMAO as things get worse for them. Chris has at least one thing right: the people will get the government they elect.
eee - Wheeeeeeee!!!!
there you go guys… yet more proof that 12 million britons welcome a 20 mph speed limit to the point where they would go and vote to let you know that they feel that way.
and note; big ken’s saying “if you re-elect me, this is what i will give you”. he isnt just doing it, and hes giving them a chance to kick him out of office before he goes and does it.
so every londoner has every chance in the world to voice their opinion in every way. they’ve got their freedom. so please, would everyone stop harping about the freedom that these people dont have and the freedom that they would have as americans? they have a different culture, and they want something different. if you lived in london, you may understand why.
just like brits might understand that when gasoline is $3.5 a gallon, and its a three day drive from new york to san fransisco, and the sharpest corner you’ll ever have to turn in the entire union isn’t actually the conjunction of two straight lines but actually an arc at that conjunction, that the nations choice of vehicle is actually what they would call a small bus.
While we here in North America Balk at the thought of congestion charges and “slow” speed limits, we also have a lot more room than say… the UK which is an island which is roughly 1/4 the size of the province of Ontario and has 5 times the people. Also, parking in the downtown of most major north american cities is a nightmare and if the cities would enact a congestion charge to better fund public transit those that could not afford to pay the congestion charge on a regular basis would have the alternative of a better public transit system.
@chris I agree with you, though I would like to point out that the provinces do have control over speed limits as Alberta has a 110kph speed limit.
tobias; was unaware about alberta.. thanks for the info.
I would wonder why, if London traffic is already at a crawl, this needs to be codified as law. is it something to do with the potential Fine revenue y’think?
I think.
When someone blasts past my house they’re speeding, when I push beyond the limit I’m exhibiting my freedom. Depends on who’s ox is being gored and when.