If there’s one thing guaranteed to fill my inbox, it’s complaints about speeding. We’ve all encountered the boy racers tearing round the country lanes and dicing with death on a blind bend. Or the visitors in Chelsea tractors unable to reverse their 4x4s.
However, I’m convinced that speeding on rural roads has got significantly worse. One reason could be the lack of policing, but the other is something creeping into villages and towns across the county – the 20mph speed limit.
Most parish and town councils have been approached to implement a 20mph limit on some roads, by local groups who are concerned about speeding. The rationale is that it would reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries should there be a crash.
Most people understand the need to reduce speed, especially where there are no pavements. But I wonder whether getting a 20 mph limit has really made a difference? A lot of people do slow down, but many more simply don’t care and steam full throttle through the villages. On top of which, it’s hard work dealing with the speedwatch volunteers who simply don’t understand why people hate the new speed limit and won’t comply – especially on the street where they live.
It is frustrating to see, after all the hard work getting the 20mph speed limit implement, how it is completely ignored by those who think they are above the law.It’s interesting that we have a lot of complaints about speeding, but very few volunteer to join the speedwatch team and actually do something about it.
Mums and tractors
I always find it intriguing that parents – quite rightly – raise concerns about speeding, but often have different values regarding their own behaviour. It’s usually the same parents who dress their children in black in winter, and allow them to cycle round the village with no hi-vis or any concept of how the Highway Code applies to them. And every village has a couple of drivers tearing through the countryside with a Baby On Board sticker in the back of the car, warning everyone else to be careful. Slowing down doesn’t apply to them, obviously.
When villages apply for a 20mph zone, there’s usually a vote or consultation in the local community. The important thing is to use your voice to say whether you support it or not. Once a 20mph limit has been approved, if you are not happy about it but did nothing to say so – how can you complain? It’s a bit like all those people who didn’t bother to vote in the Brexit referendum and then complained at the outcome.
Another group of drivers who seem oblivious to the 20mph signs are the agricultural contractors.
Yes, they have a job to do and are busy meeting deadlines … but the speed at which some of the huge vehicles hurtle through the villages is scary – and often with drivers simultaneously using a mobile phone or drinking from a can. There’s scant regard for other drivers, cats … basically anyone who is unfortunate enough to be in their way.
The 20mph limit is an alien concept to most of these drivers. And it’s not just farm workers, time-poor delivery drivers are as bad, and even employees of the local authority that approved the speed limit have been seen going above 20 in the zone.
And then, just as you think it’s safe to cross the road in the new 20 zone, along comes a group of lycra-clad cyclists who think they are competing in the Tour de France. Nothing will stop them beating their personal best speed – especially a 20mph sign. They either stream down the road at speed, or hog the lane in a big pack so nothing can pass. That might actually slow down the traffic, but it adds to driver frustration.
These things always take time to embed into a community, but there are people who are hell bent on just going fast to impress.
OK Karen
When I’m driving at a sedate 20, it’s often not good enough for some. I keep to the speed limit (because it would be embarrassing for a councillor to get caught speeding!). But I’m seeing an increasing number of irritated Karens behind me who simply can’t believe I’m doing 20 in the zone as they want to go faster. These people are irritating at the best of times, but it’s intimidating for those of us who want to keep speed limits down and drive safely. What I personally do when I see the flashing lights and gesticulations in my mirror is … keep to the same speed regardless.
There really is no need for that kind of behaviour. Sadly, I think most of these people are locals and know exactly what they are doing.
With narrow roads, blind bends, and a sharp increase in village populations, something has to give. If we are to make roads safer we all need to slow down and pay attention to what is around us – even if it is a gesticulating Karen. The 20 zones are designed to make villages and towns safer, but they are dependent on the drivers sticking to the law.
