Sussex drivers go faster when limit is lowered (From The Argus)
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Sussex drivers go faster when limit is lowered
4:32pm Wednesday 30th November 2011 in News By Anna Roberts
Motorists travelled faster along a road after the speed limit was reduced, a traffic survey has found.
In one Sussex village drivers travelled at an average speed of 33.5mph when the legal speed limit was 40mph.
But when the limit was dropped to 30mph they increased their average speed to 42.5mph – an increase of 20%.
This took place in Town Row, near Crowborough.
A similar situation occurred along the main C7 road connecting Kingston and Newhaven.
The average speed drivers travelled along this road was 41.2mph when the speed limit was 60mph.
But when it decreased to 50mph the average speed vehicles travelled at increased to 48.1mph.
In Dane Hill, near Haywards Heath, drivers travelled at an average speed of 38.7mph when the speed limit was 40mph. But when it decreased to 30mph the average speed vehicles travelled at increased to 39.2mph.
The situation emerged following an East Sussex County Council-organised traffic consultation, ahead of planned roadworks.
The survey found that in areas where there were engineering measures notifying drivers of speed limits, motorists were more likely to stick to the designated speed.
In areas where there were just road signs and markings, the situation was not so clear cut.
The report said: “Figures indicate that the use of engineering measures is more effective in achieving speed reductions.”
An East Sussex County Council spokesman: “Average speeds have reduced at the majority of rural sites where monitoring has taken place.
“Reductions were recorded at all of the sites where there were changes to the road layout and at five of the eight sites where only signs and lines were introduced.”
Areas where speed limit changes are planned in 2012/2013 include the A259 at Eastbourne (50mph to 40mph), A275 South Chailey (extending the 40mph limit) and the A2770 at Eastbourne (40mph to 30mph).
Comments(8)
sandalman
says...
5:22pm Wed 30 Nov 11
Servalan
says...
5:45pm Wed 30 Nov 11
Bob_The_Ferret
says...
6:50pm Wed 30 Nov 11
This is not a new phenomenon, and competent highway engineers would be able to predict it in many cases.
20splenty
says...
7:29pm Wed 30 Nov 11
Anna Roberts has chosen to "cherry pick" the 3 out of 8 sites where average speeds increased where only signs and lines were introduced!
She completely ignores the 5 out of 8 sites where Sussex motorists go slower after the speed limit is lowered!
Perhaps Anna understands the relationship between her pay packet and the motor industry adverts in the Argus?
Meanwhile every day 5 people die on UK roads. Isn't it about time we all slowed down a bit?
www.20splentyforwort
hing.org.uk
sandalman
says...
10:26pm Wed 30 Nov 11
Sir Donald Stokes
says...
9:34am Thu 1 Dec 11
Servalan wrote:You sir... I doff my cap too!
are these the same 'sussex motorists' who keep having agrophobia attacks on the A27 and re-enacting WARM LEATHERETTE?
WARM LEATHERETTE was a superb track by a now long since forgotten band The Normal.
Did that awful mess Grace Jones also cover it??
The 7" single still nestles in my vinyl collection!
RickH
says...
2:46pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Sir Donald Stokes wrote:Kudos indeed!! And much jealousy on my part for having a copy still Sir DS. My own disappeared along with a large chunk of my vinyl following a burglary some years back now
Servalan wrote: are these the same 'sussex motorists' who keep having agrophobia attacks on the A27 and re-enacting WARM LEATHERETTE?You sir... I doff my cap too! WARM LEATHERETTE was a superb track by a now long since forgotten band The Normal. Did that awful mess Grace Jones also cover it?? The 7" single still nestles in my vinyl collection!
:(
Servalan says...
4:42pm Wed 30 Nov 11