Request ID: FOI-3548-2324 Date published: 08 February 2024
You asked
Hello,
I’ve just heard a radio ad saying 20mph roads make roads 24% safer.
I’d like to see the source data on this please.
We answered
TfL Ref: 3548-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 6 January 2024 asking for information about our 20mph scheme.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and our information access policy.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your specifically asked: I’ve just heard a radio ad saying 20mph roads make roads 24% safer.
I’d like to see the source data on this please.
Each year in London, more than 1000 people are injured or killed by drivers exceeding the speed limit and lowering speed limits is a key part of the Mayor's Vision Zero goal to eliminate death and serious injury from London's transport network by 2041. Collision data from around the world shows that the speed at which people are driving or riding is the single most important factor in whether a collision takes place and how severely people are injured. Around half of the 2022 fatal collisions in London (48 out of 99) reported speed as a contributory factor.
TfL’s Lowering Speed Limits programme was launched in July 2018 as part of our Vision Zero Action Plan and set a target to introduce a new 20mph speed limit in central London by May 2020 and on a further 140km of TfL roads by May 2024. In February 2023, we published indicative findings from analysis of the pre- and post-implementation personal injury collision records. This shows a significant reduction in the number of collisions since the 20mph speed limit was introduced on our roads within the central London Congestion Charging Zone, including: • 25% reduction in collisions of all severities • 24% reduction in collisions resulting in fatal or serious injury
These results should be seen in the context of a London-wide reduction in collisions resulting in death or serious injury of around 10% over the same period.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
