Change the speed limit now! Drivers’ desperate plea for alteration on major roads | UK | News

Drivers are demanding that the Government prohibits local authorities from bringing in 20mph speed limits on major roads, claiming that the move would cause carnage. 

A petition is calling for the plan to extend 20mph zones beyond residential areas to be scrapped and it has drawn widespread support with thousands of drivers backing the petition. 

Drivers want to prevent the imposition of 20mph limits on A-roads, main roads, dual carriageways, and parts of motorways. 

The petition doesn’t dismiss the importance of maintaining 20mph restrictions on side roads, near schools, and hospitals, where reduced speeds can ensure safety.

The petition was launched by Raymond Evans and his pitch to motorists reads: “While I agree with the 20mph speed limit on back roads, outside schools and hospitals, because it can reduce the number of serious accidents and fatalities, imposing it on major roads can make it very slow, difficult, and frustrating to move from A to B.

“Drivers can become very angry and aggressive when a car in front of them is moving at 20mph.

“It can delay journeys from the school run to getting to and from work, and all the businesses and services that are reliant on the road network.”

The Government recently said, as part of its Plan for Drivers plan, that it will be assessing the impact 20mph limits have on motorists.

The Department for Transport explained: “Motorists are set to benefit from smoother journeys and reduced congestion, with local people getting a stronger voice on road schemes that affect them, thanks to a crackdown on anti-driver road schemes, over-zealous traffic enforcement, and strengthened guidance for councils on 20mph limits.

“Local authorities are expected to follow the guidance and ensure local people support their plans.

“Recent examples where councils have implemented these schemes without public support have been shown to cause disruption and have unintended negative consequences.

“If local authorities fail to deliver sensible road schemes that work for local people they could see future funding withdrawn, and under powers from the Traffic Management Act, the Government could ultimately take control of an authority’s roads where they are deemed to be widely mismanaged.”

The petition has already received over 1,500 signatures.

Taking to social media, one person said on Facebook: “The 20mph speed limit should be allowed on back roads, outside schools and hospitals.”

Another person stated: “Signed on the basis should not apply to main roads regardless of the make, schools houses etc. Main roads need to have sensible limits. Educate people with the green cross code and not to use their phones and be oblivious to the dangers around them.”

If the petition garners 10,000 signatures the Government will need to respond. If it draws 100,000, then the matter will be debated in the House of Commons.

Drivers have until June 8 to sign the petition before it closes to the public.