More motorists are facing the prospect of reduced speed limits as more than a third of local authorities have introduced measures to prevent drivers from exceeding 20mph on at least some roads.
The figures, which were obtained by The Independent, show that 27 of the 75 local authorities in England and Wales have introduced, or are planning to introduce, default 20mph zones, while an additional six councils are awaiting guidelines from the Department for Transport.
The newspaper also reports widespread public support for 20mph speed limits in built-up areas, with more than 60 per cent of those surveyed in favour of lowering the 30mph speed limit.
Support for more 20mph limits is particularly strong among women, pensioners and young people.
The news comes following the release of figures which show that casualties in 20mph zones increased by 24 per cent to 2,262 between 2011 and 2012. By contrast, casualties on 30mph roads fell 1 per cent to 125,494.
Research has shown that lowering speed limits from 30mph to 20mph could reduce road casualties by up to 40 per cent. At 20mph, only one in 40 pedestrians is killed in a crash, compared to around one in 5 at 30mph.
So, would you support the introduction of a blanket 20mph speed limit across Britain's built-up areas, or is this a step in the wrong direction for Britain's roads?
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