Common myths you'll hear about 20mph limits
My journey will take longer.
Not by much, 11 seconds actually. Research commissioned by the Department for Transport found that a typical urban 2-mile journey took only 11 seconds longer. What will you do with your 11 seconds?
I will use more fuel
Not really. Modern cars are quite capable of driving at 20mph without using lower gears and using more fuel. And, as more cars become electric/hybrid this argument becomes obselete.
They're pointless without enforcement
20mph limits do reduce speeds. Research commissioned by the Department for Transport found that whilst average speeds reduce by 0.7mph faster drivers reduce their speeds by more, by 1.1mph in residential areas. In an accident with a pedestrian or cyclist, every mph counts.
We'll get speed bumps, and I hate them!
We don't want them either and we think there are better alternatives. We don't believe that physical reengineering of roads is always necessary. And, we believe that wide-area zones reduce speeds because, wherever you go, it's 20mph!
They're not needed, the traffic in St Albans is already slow.
Down the highstreet or in the centre maybe, but not out in the residential areas where cars go too fast, even along narrow streets lined with parked cars on both sides. Only wide-area 20mph zones are the answer. We want St Albans and Harpenden to be default20 places, click here to see our plans.
They're only necessary around schools.
20mph around schools effective says "drive to school and drop drop your child off in the safe zone rather than enable them them to walk or cycle door to door, which would be much healthier for everyone. There is a better way - wide-area 20mph zones.
They're confusing, I never know what the limit is!
In a wide-area or whole-town 20mph zone, you always know what the limit is. Problem solved!
