Is 20 plenty?

[Andy B]

Maybe if enough people make representations to the police with their concerns they may increase their presence at least for a while. This did happen, at the top of Watton Road where it meets Westmill Road while out walking my best friend I came across two cops who had a radar gun and were checking the speeds of vehicles coming up the hill. I asked them if they would turn it round and check the traffic heading into town which is where the problem was but they said their superintendent had said to check only traffic coming up the hill. As they were standing at the chapel entrance in full high vis it was making a point that they were about.

[Blueboy]

There are plenty of 20mph roads round where I live and in my experience there is a good degree of observance even on a very long, mostly straight stretch where speeding is very tempting. Even where the limit is not observed cars tend to be driven at 25-30mph whereas if the limit was 30mph those breaking it would be going at 35-40 as pointed out in an earlier post. I'm in favour of 20 limits, they seem to work well in my experience.

[Ian]

I think anything that encourages the Police to be more visible n the roads is a good idea, but I wonder how successful this might be? The public services are very strapped for cash in the current political climate and I'd imagine that they see traffic management as a very low priority - as others have said, if there had been deaths or injuries, it would bump up the priority, crazy as that is.

I also agree that speeding is a problem, not just from the safety point of view bt also from the noise - speeding cars make a lot more noise than cars travelling at 30mph and speeders can clearly be heard in houses at night. I've felt for a long time that the only way to stop speeding is to make sure speeders get a ticket - if you knew you'd be fined every time you broke the speed limit, you'd stop speeding very quickly (excuse the pun). Speed cameras that always take pictures and always report to the authorities are the only feasible way of doing this in my view. Making the "black box" approach tht some insurance companies use may also work, but I fear it would lead to an increase in uninsured drivers.

However, speed is not the only issue on the road in Ware, there are examples of bad driving on every journey, mostly deliberate but some is accidental. I'm not sure how to change that though. Looking at three examples and whether they've worked: 1) Drink driving. I'm pleased to see that this seemed to work eventually, most of the young drivers these days don't drink and drive, so some success there; 2) Seat belts. There is an alarming number of people who drive without wearing a seat belt even though the safety evidence is unequivocal. I have seen the Police checking this on a pretty regular basis but still drivers don't wear them, so no success there; 3) Mobile phone use. No success there, it is still very common to see many drivers holding a phne to their ear when driving.

In conclusion, reducing the speed limit is a good start, will have some beneficial effects and could be easily policed with speed cameras and I would definitely support that. Other aspects of driving are sadly unlikely to be policed due to lack of funds and so will continue unchecked.

[Andy B]

As a comparison with what happens here in New Zealand to start with the speed is in kilometres per hour which psychologically makes you think your going faster as the basic speed limit is 50 kph which most people adhere to. There is also a tolerance system here where 10 kph can be added without getting a ticket although during public holidays this is halved and its advertised in the press and radio that its happening. Safety of school children is a priority so at the start and end of the school day the speed around schools is reduced to 40 kph and school buses when stationary are passed at 20 kph in either direction. The "Booze Bus" is set up on roads and all vehicles are stopped and have a breath test by just speaking to the machine if you fail you are taken to the Booze Bus for further testing. These measures do not cost the earth but make a difference I'm not saying this is what should be done in Ware but shows some of the options with a little thought.

[Matt40]

Talking of speeding, i have to hold my hands up to breaking the law yesterday! I realised I was doing about 35 coming into town in the 30 zone by lellers where they have moved the new camera to. Hopefully, the camera isn't working. Honest mistake your honour..

[Warewolf]

Talking of speeding, i have to hold my hands up to breaking the law yesterday! I realised I was doing about 35 coming into town in the 30 zone by lellers where they have moved the new camera to. Hopefully, the camera isn't working. Honest mistake your honour..

No lines on the road since the resurface. you'll be fine

[Matt40]

Thanks for that. I didn't fancy my second lot of lifetime speeding points coming so soon after the first lot. Well, at least i wouldn't have had to drive as far as dorset for the speeding awareness course!

[Wareite1969]

I'm really confused how this thread has developed

Started by someone concerned about speeding on residential roads and asking if lowering the limit could help the problem. And now we're at a point where admitting speeding (albeit an oversight but still speeding) is ok as long as nobody can prove it !

Talk about a complete 180

[Matt40]

My fault, sorry for the digression. Speeding's not ok but I hate the system for catching offenders even more which has one eye on the revenue 'pot', punishing minor transgressions made through geniune mistake rather than dealing with true offenders.

[JudieT]

We all transgress occasionally, I must admit to my fair share of driving in excess of the speed limit, but I never do this on a residential road or where there are houses close by. Having grown up on a bend on a main road I spent many a sleepless night waiting for the next big crash and the difference in tyre noise is incredible - so I try very hard not to do it.
My main point I suppose is really the inconsiderate drivers who do race along residential roads regardless of the locals - not only the noise they create but also the danger. Several times I've had to flatten myself against the side of the car while another vehicle rushes past not even slowing down to allow for people getting in/out of cars.
I don't know what can be done about it, I don't think changing the speed limit will really help - it will some, but as others have said, it will not deter those most at fault. Perhaps education is the answer and the social unacceptability of driving without due care and attention.
It's not BIG to drive really fast and taking chances to "impress" your friends, we've seen too many local youths die doing this. I think driving instructors, parents and schools all need to take more responsibility for engendering awareness and consideration of other road users. In my experience sticks and carrots are sustainable and don't work very effectively, but change a mindset by education and it could become a thing of the past. The only "stick" I'd like to see enforced is that if you get caught for a driving offence and you are a professional driver (bus driver, taxicab or delivery driver, etc) you lose your licence regardless and have to re-sit your test before you're allowed back on the road.