20mph campaign

Campaign to introduce 20mph areas across the Isle of Wight

Cllr Jones-Evans is spearheading a campaign to introduce 20mph areas across the Isle of Wight.

A conference on the subject was held at the Riverside Centre recently and on Wednesday evening, the councillor for Newport Central will be taking a motion to the full council meeting.

Her motion reads,

20mph areas are proven to contribute to reducing road traffic accidents, increased active travel and other public health benefits.

This Council therefore asks the Executive to consider introducing a policy for a 20mph speed limit in areas across the Island in residential streets, town and village centres and where people work and learn.

Live coverage
OnTheWight will be reporting live from the meeting on Wednesday (19th October).

Tune in at the earlier time of 5pm to follow the discussion in the chamber.

Image: haringeylibdems under CC BY 2.0

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Caconym
18, October 2016 8:22 am

I just followed a car all the way from Newport to Shanklin. The driver did 35mph to 40mph all the way, irrespective of the speed limit. She went through the 30mph limit at Rookley at 38mph. She did 41 mph in the 50mph zone, she did 35mph through Godshill. Only when she came to the speed camera in Shanklin did she slow down, excessively, to 20mph in… Read more »

Colin
Reply to  Caconym
18, October 2016 11:51 am

It’s a speed limit. It is only compulsory to drive below it. I seem to remember learning to drive when I was encouraged to drive close to the speed limit so as not to cause hindrance to other road users but only if it was safe to do so. Everyone has their own idea as to what is safe for them and there used to be something… Read more »

Caconym
Reply to  Colin
18, October 2016 1:45 pm

***”We live on an Island that has a high old age population and some older people have slower reactions. So allow for it.”*** So why is it so many drivers pootle along open roads at 40mph because they have “slower reactions”, but continue at 40mph when they hit a 30 zone where an incident which requires fast reactions (e.g a child stepping out into the road) is… Read more »

yjc
18, October 2016 8:29 am

I hope the Executive introduce this. It could save lives. If it saves one it is worth it. Especially as there are many more vehicles on the island including very large HGV’s. Every new supermarket brings more lorries so soon we will see even more huge vehicles coming from the ferries to Asda. When I started driving there weren’t the number of cars on the island roads… Read more »

CHRIS P LAMB
18, October 2016 8:46 am

And having obtained your 20mph you can then look forward to: a) traffic in the street for a longer as it takes a given volume of cars more time to proceed through a given distance. Not particularly handy for an ambulance on an emergency call trundling along in a bottleneck caused by a line of 20mph traffic. b) children and adults (particularly with lung problems) coughing and… Read more »

yjc
Reply to  CHRIS P LAMB
18, October 2016 8:59 am

Zealot is defined as: noun a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals. synonyms: fanatic, enthusiast, extremist, radical, Young Turk, diehard, activist, militant; More historical a member of an ancient Jewish sect aiming at a world Jewish theocracy and resisting the Romans until AD 70. noun: Zealot; plural noun: Zealots I am none of those so object to Chris… Read more »

tiki
18, October 2016 9:37 am

Godshill needs it, quite frankly you take your life in your hands if you’re in a wheelchair or have a push chair and you want to wander up and down the High Street. You can’t go any faster than 20 anyway in Newport, and how about clamping down on the idiots in Newport who jaywalk, I’m fed up with pedestrians just stepping out onto the road. The… Read more »

Caconym
Reply to  tiki
18, October 2016 10:10 am

The problem is that the current limits are not enforced and are widely flouted. The Police do not have the resources enforce them.

Introducing new limits while the current ones can be ignored with impunity is a futile exercise.

CHRIS P LAMB
Reply to  tiki
18, October 2016 2:50 pm

On many occasions you are not only driving the vehicle you are also thinking for the half-wits who must leave their brains at home as they commence to walk abroad. Walking into the road as they gaze at a phone, standing talking by a zebra crossing having no intention of crossing. Waiting at red traffic lights when everyone has stopped then deciding to walk as the lights… Read more »

Susan
18, October 2016 9:45 am

It is not just speed which is dangerous Many times drivers have pulled out directly in front of me when they can see the whites of my eyes and driven at 25- 30 mph on perfectly good open roads and then speeded up to 40-45 mph in built up areas with a 30 mph speed limit A lot of island drivers are oblivioux to other road-users and… Read more »

I do not believe it
18, October 2016 9:47 am

Following the demise of the £ against the $ and € (meaning you can no longer afford the air fare to Florida to see the Daytona 50) why not come over to our part of the island and witness the daily Carisbrooke Road and Carisbrooke High Street 500? This super straight(ish) highway will provide you with all the adrenalin pumping action you need! Island Roads has recently… Read more »

CB500
18, October 2016 9:52 am

There are areas where 20MPH is appropriate. However, allowing the council to set a blanket 20mph limit in towns will only make them think that a 40MPH limit across the Island is an acceptable next step. We already have a creeping introduction of this. 30MPH on the main Arreton road is one ridiculous example. Why not have a campaign to improve driving standards amongst the terminally slow… Read more »

Andrew
18, October 2016 10:16 am

There’s nothing wrong with a 30mph limit if 30mph maximum is enforced.

The same people breaking the 30mph speed limit will break the 20 mph one too and the only people this will penalise are the ones obeying the speed limits in the first place who aren’t the problem.

4nd7
18, October 2016 10:18 am

There’s nothing wrong with a 30mph limit if 30mph maximum is enforced.

The same people breaking the 30mph speed limit will break the 20 mph one too and the only people this will penalise are the ones obeying the speed limits in the first place who aren’t the problem.

Cllr Karl Love - East Cowes - North Ward
18, October 2016 10:24 am

I too would welcome the introduction of 20 mph in some localities to help safeguard predeteiants It’s a well known fact that resurfacing roads does increase traffic speed and many of our roads are narrow and have hidden dangers along them. Implementing 20 mph zones should always be done in discussion with local residents as they know better that most what the issues are and what else… Read more »

VentnorLad
18, October 2016 2:02 pm

I’m a big fan of evidence based policy. This is one of those areas where the evidence supports the change. Those worried about enforcement should note that 20mph zones when well planned are designed to be “self-enforcing”. It is the need for good quality planning and implementation that worries me most. It seems to me that IWC have the ability to (occasionally!) have sensible ideas, but are… Read more »

Murun Buchstansangur
18, October 2016 5:02 pm

I will ignore 20mph the same way I ignore the existing limits. The doogooders and the council thinking they know better than me how to drive safely is presumptuous. I have never had an accident and that isn’t thanks to endless tinkering with road signs.

Caconym
Reply to  Murun Buchstansangur
18, October 2016 6:44 pm

So a kid runs out in front of you in a 20mph limit. If you’d been doing 20 the kid would probably be alive.

Obviously it’s the kids fault for running out without looking, but there he is dead under your wheels.

Guessing you’re OK with that?

Murun Buchstansangur
Reply to  Caconym
18, October 2016 10:48 pm

I will probably have been doing between 15 and 25 for my whole life up to this point in those areas, whatever is sensible at the time, and the number of road deaths I have created is zero. But if creating some unfounded hysteria means you get to put some new signs up then go ahead, enjoy yourself.

Caconym
Reply to  Murun Buchstansangur
19, October 2016 8:55 am

Do you ever consider that not everyone is as “sensible” as you?

(yes, that was irony, in case you were wondering)…..

CHRIS P LAMB
18, October 2016 6:55 pm

A kid runs on to a railway line and gets mowed down by a passing express doing 100mph.

Obviously it’s the kids fault for running out without looking, but there he is dead under your train.

Guessing you’re OK with that?

Clearly not Ok with it. So the obvious solution is to slow trains to 20mph so he would possibly still be alive.

Philip Hawkins
Reply to  CHRIS P LAMB
18, October 2016 7:41 pm

Railway lines have fences to stop people (ie children) running on to them. On our road you go straight out of your front gate into the path of passing traffic – there is no pavement. We are campaigning for a 20mph limit, as one solution to the problem, but the council say they can’t afford it – IR charge them for the signs, and then annually for… Read more »

CHRIS P LAMB
Reply to  Philip Hawkins
18, October 2016 10:43 pm

So what happens when someone is knocked down 100 yards outside the 20mph zone? Is it going to be extended by 100 yards?

Caconym
Reply to  CHRIS P LAMB
19, October 2016 8:31 am

Seriously? That’s the best counter argument you can come up with?

Caconym
Reply to  CHRIS P LAMB
18, October 2016 9:05 pm

What a ridiculous argument.

Laura Scarr
18, October 2016 8:55 pm

Def need this in Godshill! Surprised no one has been killed or seriously injured. Brading is 20 mph so why not Godshill where is some places on the High Street there are no pavements!

phil jordan
Reply to  Laura Scarr
18, October 2016 10:23 pm

LS: There are advanced plans for implementation of a comprehensive 20 mph scheme to include school crossing area and throughout the main road ….. ( … and helpfully acting as a piloted area where outcomes can be measured carefully) I cannot say exactly when this will be started but plans are well advanced and with the caveat of unforeseen circumstances it is imminent. In many ways Godshill… Read more »

Caconym
Reply to  phil jordan
19, October 2016 9:34 am

But you need to ensure the speed limit is enforced or it will be pointless.

CHRIS P LAMB
Reply to  Laura Scarr
19, October 2016 9:16 am

“Surprised no one has been killed or seriously injured.”

You have just answered the question. A solution is being proposed for a problem that has never happened. And when your 20 mph signs are erected at great expense, and still no one is injured you will then say this is due to the 20mph signs.

Peggy Hewson
18, October 2016 10:44 pm

I absolutely disagree with a 20mph speed limit. We live with too many onerous rules and regulations and are only of use if they can be enforced which we all know that, with a minor police presence on the island, is not the case. I also like to drive quickly but, with attention to to the surroundings and weather conditions. I also think that comments signed with… Read more »

Caconym
Reply to  Peggy Hewson
19, October 2016 8:51 am

I’ll have you now I am descended from a proud line of Slayers!!!

VentnorLad
Reply to  Peggy Hewson
19, October 2016 10:00 am

I don’t know if you read my earlier comment about 20 mph zones being “self-enforcing”, but here’s some info from RoSPA on them, it seems enforcement doesn’t have to be a Police Officer with a speed gun: “20mph zones, are designed to be “self-enforcing” due to traffic calming measures which are introduced along with the change in the speed limit. Speed humps, chicanes, road narrowing, planting and… Read more »

dave
Reply to  VentnorLad
19, October 2016 1:03 pm

I’ll have you know, DaveIOW, that some of the enforcing measurers, especially speed humps, cause great discomfort to many disabled people who are jostled about no matter how slowly the humps are negotiated.

VentnorLad
Reply to  dave
19, October 2016 1:23 pm

How does that discomfort compare with the physical harm and mental anguish to the individuals, their families and friends of those pedestrians killed or seriously injured?

(2013 figures: 498 killed, 3998 seriously injured)

dave
Reply to  VentnorLad
19, October 2016 4:56 pm

Perhaps one day you will suffer the same discomfort yourself and you might then have a more balanced view. Humps or not, problems are caused by bad driving or stupidity (such as paying more attention to mobile phones than traffic) by pedestrians.

Kerry yeomans
19, October 2016 7:24 am

Maybe it could be job creation , someone walking in front of each vechile with a red flag ?

tr
Reply to  Kerry yeomans
19, October 2016 9:08 am

or a speed camera???

Steve Goodman
Reply to  Kerry yeomans
19, October 2016 9:19 am

Or maybe someone enforcing the limits with red cards in the form of fixed penalty notices? Or better still, someone improving some of our present roads to create the sort of safer and happier local shared spaces which work well elsewhere, now that our government is again spending our billions on the sort of big road schemes that further contribute to the unlawful poisoning of our air,… Read more »

Mark Francis
19, October 2016 9:48 am

In my experience the typical Island driver is one who potters along most roads well under the speed limit & then hammers over the Downs Road like a maniac.
That said pedestrian road deaths are at an all t9me low. Most adult pedestrians who are run over are themselves drunk.

VentnorLad
Reply to  Mark Francis
19, October 2016 12:58 pm

“Most adult pedestrians who are run over are themselves drunk.”

That’s simply not true.

For 16 to 59 year olds, the figure is 23%.

Too high, yes. But by no means most.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/448036/pedestrian-casualties-2013-data.pdf

Richard
19, October 2016 10:58 am

Cars are now safer and can stop quicker than the stopping distances written in the Highway Code.
The implementation of 20mph speed limits outside of schools, is perfectly acceptable, as I agree with it being implemented in Godshill high street.
Slow drivers are as much of a hazard as the speed junkies.

bones
Reply to  Richard
19, October 2016 11:45 am

What do you get if you mix a steep,bendy lane with cyclists and walkers with
drivers who insist in driving like maniacs ?
You get St Lawrence Shute.

phil jordan
Reply to  Richard
19, October 2016 12:10 pm

To be clear….. over 85% OF all schools cross the Island [53] have already either an advisory limit (with signage) 20 in number, or a regulatory limit (in effect) 25 in number. Of the remaining schools, three are primary, three are senior and one is a learning difficulty school where arrival and departure is entirely different to usual schools. I am investigating now whether any of the… Read more »

Resident
4, November 2016 8:29 am

Would love to know how many people have actually been knocked over on the island in past 5 years. How many motorists have been done for speeding in 5 years in the island. How many accidents in past 5 years are due to speed and not ignorance drink and so on… Don’t think 20mph limits will work as above people will stil flout them. Education and enforcement… Read more »

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