The majority of motorists are complying with Wandsworth’s borough-wide 20mph limit, early monitoring suggests.
Introduced in the summer of 2017, the 20mph limit applies to all residential ‘back streets’ and neighbourhoods. It was introduced in a bid to ‘make local roads safer’ and encourage the use of sustainable transport such as cycling and walking.
Speed checks carried out by the Met Police on nearly 7,000 vehicles found that more than 80% were sticking to the new lower limit.
A total of 1,331 vehicles (19%) were found to be exceeding the limit, with these drivers receiving a letter from the Met Police warning them that if they are caught again they will be prosecuted.
However, a number of drivers caught driving at excessive speeds did face legal action and points on their licence – including a pizza delivery driver who was travelling at 56mph in a residential street in Putney.
A comprehensive study of traffic speeds in the borough is currently underway.
Cllr Jonathan Cook, Wandsworth Council’s transport spokesman, said:
“These early results are encouraging and show that the vast majority of motorists have slowed down and are observing the new 20mph limit.
“Hopefully those who have received letters from the police will have learned their lesson and slow down from now on.
“They can be sure that we will be continuing our joint community speed check exercises with the police so if they haven’t got the message to curb their speed, then chances are they will end up getting points on their licence.”
13 February 2018