Community Roadwatch

Are we certain that the police intended to get the letters out within 14 days as they said, and didn't do so by accident, or is it optional for them whether or not to send them out at all? we need to know.

Enforcement of the 20 limit is not only pathetic, it can actually -- as I have found while driving my car -- dangerous to stick to it. You get hooted at and angry drivers overtake you because "everybody knows" the 20mph limit is never enforced.

The article is here: http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/9148

Didn't the Met publicly announce they wouldn't enforce the 20mph limit? Or is that one of those rumours you hear from a bloke in the pub.

The police statement is amusing: they couldn't meet their own self-imposed deadline to send the warning letters so just didn't bother.

I wonder where the evidence is that 20mph zones are dangerous? We need more enforcement not higher speed limits.

"Lower" speed limits, surely?

the law is the law. I think in this case it really was an administrative oversight on the letters. Police have been doing a similar community speed watch in Lambeth and sent out loads of letters to those breaching 20mph by big margins. the idea is to bring about a gradual change in speed culture, not whack drivers with big fines and cause resentment.

No, higher speed limits. If you are suggesting that 20mph is dangerous the alternative is to return to a 30mph as I presume you aren't proposing to introduce a 10mph zone.

I think 20mph should be enforced. I have found they are safer, if a bit annoying.

Zoe wrote:

No, higher speed limits. If you are suggesting that 20mph is dangerous the alternative is to return to a 30mph as I presume you aren't proposing to introduce a 10mph zone.
I think 20mph should be enforced. I have found they are safer, if a bit annoying.

I think the point being made was that 20mph limits can be dangerous BECAUSE some drivers not only ignore them but then get aggressive towards any other driver who gets in their way by driving at the correct speed.

A blanket 20mph is bonkers.
20 is far too fast at some times - and needlessly slow at others.
We need engaged, considerate drivers and the active enforcement against inappropriate driving.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I want 20mph speed limits on residential roads, and they should be enforced. What I meant about it being dangerous to observe 20 mph was simply that because 20 is rarely enforced, most drivers go at 30 and get annoyed with drivers observing the correct 20 limit. If the 20 limit were better enforced, drivers would not ignore it.

hughknew wrote:

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I want 20mph speed limits on residential roads, and they should be enforced. What I meant about it being dangerous to observe 20 mph was simply that because 20 is rarely enforced, most drivers go at 30 and get annoyed with drivers observing the correct 20 limit. If the 20 limit were better enforced, drivers would not ignore it.

Totally agree!

It's the same in Abbey Street, should be 20 mph and they speed through.

It's as if they don't read any signs, Tanner street clearly states no entry into Tower Bridge Road, but still they go across. Probably wait for a car turning into Tanner St from Tower Bridge Road to crash into one of them before anything is done