TfL has launched a ‘powerful’ new speeding campaign, alongside an announcement that a further 65km of roads will have 20mph limits introduced between now and the end of the year.
The campaign aims to motivate all drivers to change their behaviour, by showing them that driving even slightly over the speed limit can still have devastating consequences – particularly on those who walk, cycle and ride a motorcycle.
The campaign launches on radio and outdoor posters, with a new TV advert launching in October in the lead up to Road Safety Week (19-25 Nov), where this year’s theme is speed.
TfL is also working with the Met Police to increase their capacity to take enforcement action against drivers and riders who speed. They are currently on track to be able to take action on a million speeding offences by 2024/5, to provide a more effective deterrent to speeding.
The Met Police enforced around 620,000 speeding offences committed in 2022/23, an increase of 35% compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, the new 20mph speed limits will fall within the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Lewisham, Southwark, Wandsworth, Merton, Bromley and Lambeth.
The new speed limits will be introduced in stages over the last four months of the year – and TfL says they will help make a large area of south London safer and more attractive for people in these communities to live and work in, encouraging people out of their cars to walk, cycle and use public transport more often.
The speed limits will be supported by new signs and road markings and TfL is working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service to ensure that drivers understand and comply with the new lower speed limits.
Banners attached to street lamps in the new 20mph areas will also be put in place to increase driver awareness of the new speed limit.
Following implementation, TfL plans to carry out monitoring to determine whether further measures to further reduce vehicle speeds are required.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “Lowering speeds is one of the most important things we can do to reduce road danger and forms a key part of the mayor’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate death and serious injury from London’s transport network.
“TfL data shows that 20mph speed limits are reducing the number of collisions on London’s roads, which is why I’m pleased the 20mph programme has been expanded, helping to make a large area of south London safer and more attractive for people to live and work.
“Every death or serious injury on our streets is devastating, bringing heartache and tragedy to all those involved so we will continue to work with TfL, the Met Police and London’s boroughs to make it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle and use public transport, creating a safer, greener London for everyone.”
11 September 2023