20mph speed limits - are they actually enforceable

Rroff · 21 Jan 2014 at 17:50

Think some of the confusion might be due to the places where 20 mph limits are more commonly seen are actually private roads but open to the public? might be wrong but I don't think those limits are enforced by the police.

Tefal · 21 Jan 2014 at 17:54

Burnsy2023 said:
Yes they are enforceable.

why are some of the 20 signs black circles rather than red like proper speed signs if you know?

are there enforceable and non enforceable ones?

Tefal · 21 Jan 2014 at 17:55

knip said:
See the police have said they aren't enforcing it

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-s-20mph-zones-enforced-police/story-19668468-detail/story.html

Mayor has said this

If you work or live in central Bristol you’ll see that we’ve introduced a 20mph limit on most roads that were previously 30mph in Cabot, Cotham, Clifton, Clifton East, Bishopston and Redland wards from today (21 January).

Following two successful pilots, this is the first of six 20mph schemes to be rolled out across the city over the next 12 months.

We're working closely with our police partners to ensure people accept and understand why they are being asked to drive at 20mph and will be rolling out a number of community speed watch programmes where local people and police monitor speeds.

Driving at 20mph has been proven to significantly reduce the risk and severity of road accidents and impact of speeding on local communities.

hasn't studies show that the 20 zones are more dangerous as drivers are spenidn more time checking the speedo and it takes mroe effort to keep the car under 20 as it's not really geared for it.

d_brennen · 21 Jan 2014 at 17:59

There's been 20 limits around my patch for years, though due to traffic, traffic lights, seemingly suicidal pedestrians, roads built wide enough for two horses to pass each other (just) and speed humps, 20 isn't all that unreasonable

Russinating · 21 Jan 2014 at 18:07

I cycle almost constantly above 20mph on my commute in Bristol so that should be interesting

Burnsy2023 · 21 Jan 2014 at 18:26

Tefal said:
why are some of the 20 signs black circles rather than red like proper speed signs if you know?

are there enforceable and non enforceable ones?

Those are advisory limits. if it's a 20 limit in a red circle as per any other speed limit sign, it's likely to be enforceable.

JonJ678 · 21 Jan 2014 at 19:45

knip said:
Driving at 20mph has been proven to significantly reduce the risk and severity of road accidents and impact of speeding on local communities.

This sounds unlikely. Anyone have an idea where we might find such proof? I have a theory it'll be a load of crap.

estebanrey · 21 Jan 2014 at 20:24

Monkeymatt said:
Usain Bolt completed 100 meters in 9.58 seconds which gives him an average speed of just over 23 mph. Taking into consideration that he is a professional athlete who has trained all of his life along with him not needing to bring his lunch, wallet, keys etc. with him and that he was ony travelling a really small distance, somehow I don't think we are going to see a surge of runners in Bristol..

Usain Bolt's top speed is around 27-28 mph, the average speed is a poor number to use given the claim you were answering as the acceleration at the start and the declaration end bring the number down. Usain at top speed goes quite a bit faster than 23 mph.

Theophany · 21 Jan 2014 at 20:29

MooMoo444 said:
20mph... feels like such a crawl compared to 30.

After a few years of 20 will they say 15mph will be safer?

Seems to me like they should be tackling the problem of stop letting **** drivers on the road. Or letting idiot pedestrians get hit; perhaps that way they'll pay attention. It infuriates me, especially in car parks, when you see morons get out of the drivers seat and mill around in front of cars, completely oblivious.

Participant · 21 Jan 2014 at 20:35

estebanrey said:
Usain Bolt's top speed is around 27-28 mph, the average speed is a poor number to use given the claim you were answering as the acceleration at the start and the declaration end bring the number down. Usain at top speed goes quite a bit faster than 23 mph.

Most people accelerate and decelerate when they start running? Or do you go from 0 to 27mph instantly when you're jogging to work?

estebanrey · 21 Jan 2014 at 20:43

Participant said:
Most people accelerate and decelerate when they start running? Or do you go from 0 to 27mph instantly when you're jogging to work?

Eh? The claim was made that many people can run faster than 20 mph which is a claim made about top speed not average speed.

To put in the other way, if I was caught driving 35 mph in a 30 zone could I say "well my average speed was only 29" and be let off?

cainer · 21 Jan 2014 at 20:43

Participant said:
Most people accelerate and decelerate when they start running? Or do you go from 0 to 27mph instantly when you're jogging to work?

but the further you travel the less impact acceleration and deceleration has on the final mph
most people wouldnt use their cars to go 100 meters

itchy · 21 Jan 2014 at 20:52

20 mph is way too slow, not good on your car either. :rolleyes:

This is how I drive, providing no speed bumps!! :mad:

20 mph zone I ignore if i can, but usually they have speed bumps!*@£! :mad:

30 mph I do around 37-40mph.

40 mph I do around 48-50mph.

50 mph I do around 60 mph.

70 mph I do around 130mph :eek:

....... lol joking!

Around 80-90 mph.

If you drive safe and know the road then 30 mph min is ok. Dont get me wrong if I see kids and parked cars, I roll at 10mph usually with my foot over the brake.

Participant · 21 Jan 2014 at 20:57

estebanrey said:
Eh? The claim was made that many people can run faster than 20 mph which is a claim made about top speed not average speed.

The claim made was that it's possible to run faster than 20mph, yes, and the crucial bit you left out, that you might as well therefore sell your car if you live in Bristol. This was refuted by Monkeymatt on the basis that even Usain Bolt averages 23mph over only 100m, therefore the average man will still have a speed advantage in Bristol because his average speed, which is what counts, will be substantially lower, especially over the typical commute. Which I agree with.

cainer said:
but the further you travel the less impact acceleration and deceleration has on the final mph

Quite, and the further you travel the less your average running speed will be, making Monkeymatt's point even more accurate.

Of course this is all irrelevant, since the original point about getting rid of your car if you live in Bristol was made in jest.

kiwi · 21 Jan 2014 at 21:03

They've done this in part of Brighton and Hove recently. I normally drive about 20 down my road as there's cars parked both sides and anyone could open their door. What is ridiculous is making main roads 20, especially when they're bus routes. Are you telling me that all bus journeys are now significantly slower?!

Russinating · 21 Jan 2014 at 21:05

How has itchy not been banned yet. Mods, c'mon...

Destination · 21 Jan 2014 at 21:10

Theophany said:
If a Flux Capacitor fluxes, does a Tardis tard?

I think you'll find a tardis retards, not tards.

Destination · 21 Jan 2014 at 21:12

itchy said:
...Gubbins ....... lol joking!
More gubbins.
Dont get me wrong if I see kids and parked cars, I roll at 10mph usually with my foot over the brake.

The last bit is good advice. Being aware of surroundings is what 20 limits are all about, as often people are not, or refuse to pay attention while driving their vehicle, and as such a 20 limit seeks to blanket reinforce the lack of attention by making people slower giving more time to react.

Tute · 21 Jan 2014 at 21:12

I just treat them like any other 30 zone.

Freefaller · 21 Jan 2014 at 21:13

Tute said:
I just treat them like any other 30 zone.

And do 40?