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20s Plenty for Us campaign calls for 20mph limits to help people to see

20s Plenty for Us calls for 20mph limits to help people to see and be seen on roads
20s Plenty for Us calls for 20mph limits to help people to see and be seen on roads

The 20s Plenty for Us campaign, supported by VISION 2020 UK, is calling for a 20mph default speed limit in residential streets without physical calming in order to protect vulnerable road users, including those who are blind and partially-sighted. The aim of the campaign is to help people to see and be seen on roads.

20s Plenty for Us reflects the Highway Code, which recommends that drivers go carefully and slowly in residential areas and around vulnerable people. Below 20mph, road users can better see hazards, signs of vulnerability such as a guide dog, white stick, youth or age, and react in time to avoid a crash. In its latest guidance, the Department for Transport set considering the introduction of more 20mph limits and zones as a priority for action.

Rod King MBE, founder of 20s Plenty for Us said “Every driver must assume that any pedestrian may be one with poor vision. Traffic authorities have a legal responsibility to set speed limit policies that do not discriminate against disadvantaged groups. A general 30mph limit is no longer seen as fit for purpose for delivering the equitable safety on our streets that communities and government now demand. Default 20mph limits are affordable, effective and benefit most sectors of the community, particularly people who are blind and partially-sighted.”

Matt Broom, VISION 2020 UK Operations Manager said: “20mph limits lessen fear and danger to the blind and partially-sighted community, enabling them to lead more active and independent lifestyles. As the UK’s umbrella charity for eye health and sight loss organisations, VISION 2020 UK support 20s Plenty for Us’ campaign for 20mph speed limits to be the norm.”

The 20s Plenty for Us campaign calls for:

• Local councils to introduce fairer, wide-area 20mph speed limits for better equality and quality of life for all.
• Local authorities to urgently update their urban and village speed management policies in line with the Equality Act 2010 with default 20mph and targeted 30mph limits.