Decision Makers:
Sheffield City Council Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee
20mph speed limits are saving lives and improving communities. Sheffield City Council (SCC)‘s current policy prevents these speed limit reductions on busier roads, despite this being where the most danger and injuries are.
We need this to change so we can have safe speed limits where they are most needed.
In Sheffield 20mph limits have been welcomed on the residential streets where they are used. They don’t need enforcement for things to start getting better. Driving becomes calmer and noise and traffic danger reduces. This makes it easier to enjoy our streets, and to walk, wheel and cycle more safely. 20mph is safer for anyone inside cars too, which is where people are most likely to get injured on our roads. Journey times don't increase much, if at all, and less braking and acceleration means cars use less fuel.
However, SCC’s policy restricts these benefits to minor residential streets, excluding main roads. This leaves out the places where most people get hurt, and where safer speeds could save the most lives. Chopping and changing speed limits also creates confusion for drivers and causes more costs and clutter from signs.
In the last three years 31 people have been killed in Sheffield on roads with speed limits above 20mph (these are 90% of all road deaths). 26 of these tragedies happened on roads which have been or will be excluded from the 20mph schemes. Hundreds more people have also been seriously injured on these excluded roads.
The 20mph policy in Wales lowered average speeds by 4mph and reduced injuries by 32%. Drivers across Wales now save £45 a year on insurance, due to fewer crashes and claims. If replicated here this would save Sheffield drivers £11million a year.
Edinburgh’s 20mph limits have seen a 39% reduction in casualties. They are now extending 20mph to more main roads.
In central London almost all roads are 20mph, including the largest and busiest. This has led to a 50% reduction in child casualties and a 75% reduction in child deaths.
A new strategy for 20mph limits in Sheffield is on the way.
To save more lives and reduce more traffic danger, noise and pollution, we call for main roads to be included in 20mph schemes, and to prioritise the roads with the most injuries.
7 Comments
I don't feel safe cycling with my kids on 30 mph roads. If an accident happens it could well be fatal. I want my kids to be safe. When driving, I want to have sufficient time to see hazards and to react to everything going on in this congested city with narrow roads and parked cars.
Safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Fast traffic is dangerous.
Speed limits need to be responsive to the character of the road and local conditions not a national designation.
Slowing cars to 30mph makes virtually no difference to anyone’s journey but it saves lives and prevents life changing injuries. What’s not to like!
I want me and my family to be safer using our city’s streets, and to have an end to the devastating crashes.
I want everyone to enjoy moving around out city.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Decision Makers:
Sheffield City Council Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee
20mph speed limits are saving lives and improving communities. Sheffield City Council (SCC)‘s current policy prevents these speed limit reductions on busier roads, despite this being where the most danger and injuries are.
We need this to change so we can have safe speed limits where they are most needed.
In Sheffield 20mph limits have been welcomed on the residential streets where they are used. They don’t need enforcement for things to start getting better. Driving becomes calmer and noise and traffic danger reduces. This makes it easier to enjoy our streets, and to walk, wheel and cycle more safely. 20mph is safer for anyone inside cars too, which is where people are most likely to get injured on our roads. Journey times don't increase much, if at all, and less braking and acceleration means cars use less fuel.
However, SCC’s policy restricts these benefits to minor residential streets, excluding main roads. This leaves out the places where most people get hurt, and where safer speeds could save the most lives. Chopping and changing speed limits also creates confusion for drivers and causes more costs and clutter from signs.
In the last three years 31 people have been killed in Sheffield on roads with speed limits above 20mph (these are 90% of all road deaths). 26 of these tragedies happened on roads which have been or will be excluded from the 20mph schemes. Hundreds more people have also been seriously injured on these excluded roads.
The 20mph policy in Wales lowered average speeds by 4mph and reduced injuries by 32%. Drivers across Wales now save £45 a year on insurance, due to fewer crashes and claims. If replicated here this would save Sheffield drivers £11million a year.
Edinburgh’s 20mph limits have seen a 39% reduction in casualties. They are now extending 20mph to more main roads.
In central London almost all roads are 20mph, including the largest and busiest. This has led to a 50% reduction in child casualties and a 75% reduction in child deaths.
A new strategy for 20mph limits in Sheffield is on the way.
To save more lives and reduce more traffic danger, noise and pollution, we call for main roads to be included in 20mph schemes, and to prioritise the roads with the most injuries.
7 Comments
Reducing speed on residential roads is vital to protecting pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, some residential roads in Sheffield go from 20mph to 40mph to 30mph within 50 metres… better (safer) thought-out speed limits help everyone, drivers included.
I don't feel safe cycling with my kids on 30 mph roads. If an accident happens it could well be fatal. I want my kids to be safe. When driving, I want to have sufficient time to see hazards and to react to everything going on in this congested city with narrow roads and parked cars.
Safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Fast traffic is dangerous.
Speed limits need to be responsive to the character of the road and local conditions not a national designation.
Slowing cars to 30mph makes virtually no difference to anyone’s journey but it saves lives and prevents life changing injuries. What’s not to like!
I want me and my family to be safer using our city’s streets, and to have an end to the devastating crashes.
I want everyone to enjoy moving around out city.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 50 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Reducing speed on residential roads is vital to protecting pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, some residential roads in Sheffield go from 20mph to 40mph to 30mph within 50 metres… better (safer) thought-out speed limits help everyone, drivers included.