Urban speed

18 August 2010

Driving through a busy town centre can be so frustrating. When you finally see a clear stretch of road it's tempting to put your foot down. Thirty and 40 don’t feel that much different when you're driving. But there’s a world of difference if you’re walking across the road and someone hits you at the higher speed.

Put simply it's a matter of life or death. If you hit someone at 40, the risk of death is around four times higher than if you hit them at 30.

Mike Ashworth, chairman of Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership, said: “That extra 10mph makes a huge difference if you knock someone over. That’s why you won’t find 40 limits in built-up areas where there are likely to be pedestrians.

“Make sure you know the speed limits for the roads you use regularly. On roads with street lights it’s safe to assume the limit is 30mph unless there are signs telling you otherwise.”

Of course the speed limit isn't the only thing you need to pay attention to when deciding how fast to drive.

 Never forget that it's a maximum not a target - sometimes conditions will mean it’s not safe to travel that fast.

Junctions, bends, poor weather and crowded pavements are all things which should make you cut your speed.

Mike Ashworth said: “Speeding is an easy trap to fall into. People who wouldn't dream of overtaking on a bend may end up driving too fast simply because they've lost concentration.

“Always keep a close eye on your speedometer – there may be trouble ahead and you won't have time to react to it if you're driving too fast.”

Despite the best efforts of road safety campaigners, many people still don't understand that it's 30 for a reason in urban areas. A recent survey showed that littering is frowned upon by more people than driving at 40 in a 30 zone.

Mike Ashworth said: “People need to think carefully before putting their foot down - is it really worth risking someone's life for the chance to arrive somewhere a few minutes earlier?”