This paper examines the role of statutory speed limits as a road safety measure and concludes that the fulfilment of this role is heavily dependent upon self-imposed driver compliance. It argues that the compliance can be materially influenced by the responsible highway authority, without recourse to expensive and extensive enforcement by the police, by setting speed limits on individual roads at levels which reflect both the pattern of driving and the nature of the road safety problem which the speed limit is designed to counter; and it stresses the importance of accident investigation studies as a prerequisite to any remedial measure, including a change in the speed limit. The relationship between speed limits and vehicle speeds is demonstrated to be an important factor in deciding the appropriateness of an existing limit and the level to which it might be changed in order to maximise the desired driver response, and examples are quoted of instances where increases in speed limits, from 30 to 40 mph, have resulted in reduction in vehicle speeds and corresponding reductions in road accidents. (a) for the covering abstract of the seminar see IRRD 272798.
Abstract