The overwhelming majority of the general public support the introduction of a 20mph speed limit to all built-up areas, including around schools, residential streets and in village, town and city centres, a new study has found.
The survey, which was conducted by road safety charity Brake and Allianz insurance, sampled 1,000 UK adults, with 78 per cent of those asked supporting the introduction of more 20mph limits in residential areas.
53 per cent of those asked also favoured changing the default urban speed limit from 30mph to 20mph, with local authorities given the option of retaining higher speeds on main routes.
Areas which have already introduced a 20mph limit have seen significant reduction in road casualties, Brake says, with Portsmouth seeing a 22 per cent dip and Camden in North London a 54 per cent reduction in casualties.
Brake is calling on MPs to introduce a blanket 20mph limit across urban areas, and is taking its claim to Parliament later today.
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake, said: "We need to tackle the senseless and violent casualties that continue to happen daily on our roads, and we need to enable people to live healthy, active, social lives. It's clear that 20mph limits in communities can help bring this about -- and it's clear this is what people want."
The government, however, has no immediate plans to introduce a widespread 20mph limit, claiming that the setting speed limits remains the responsibility of local councils.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Setting speed limits on local roads is a matter for local authorities but this government has published new guidance to make it easier for councils to introduce 20mph zones.
"Research shows that cutting 20mph limits on certain roads can save lives and we must do all we can to prevent road casualties."
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