Welsh Greens call for road safety to be top priority
Wales Green Party Leader Jake Griffiths welcomed the findings of a survey by British Medical Journal that road causality numbers were reduced by 42% following the introduction of 20 mph zones in parts of London (1). Over the 15 year study period the number of children killed or seriously injured was halved, there was a 17% reduction in cyclist injuries, and pedestrian injuries also fell by a third.
Jake Griffiths, Wales Green Party Leader and Cardiff West Candidate said: "The Wales Green Party has been calling for the introduction for the 20mph speed limit to be the norm on residential streets in Wales rather than the current 30mph. Sadly, Ieuan Wyn Jones [Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economy and Transport] missed an opportunity to be far more proactive in developing 20 mph on residential streets in a recent Welsh Assembly consultation on road safety when he decided to retain 30 mph as the dafacto speed limit in residential areas."
"If the Welsh Assembly is serious about wanting to encourage people out of their cars and to undertake more sustainable modes of transport, such as walking and cycling, they need to start by making our residential streets safer. At the moment many residential streets are a no go areas to kids because of the dangers from car traffic."
He continued: "The Green Party has found significant support in Wales for the introduction of residential 20 mph zones. We surveyed residents in Canton, Cardiff in 2007 and found 80% support from residents, which included car drivers, to the introduction of 20mph speed limit on all residential streets. In the past Welsh Assembly Minister have been worried about loosing the vote of car drivers however the huge improvements found by this survey mean Ministers should think again, put road safety first and make 20 mph the norm on our residential streets.
(1) Effect of 20 mph traffic speed zones on road injuries in London, 1986-2006: controlled interrupted time series analysis. British Medical Journal, 2009.
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For further information contact Jake Griffiths on 07752754537 on cantongreens@hotmail.co.uk.
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