EDINBURGH’S citywide network of 20 miles-per-hour speed limits has yielded a number of positive results including a substantial drop in traffic collisions and casualties, according to new research.
A report evaluating the rollout of the policy three years after its implementation, which will be considered by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday, found that average traffic speeds have dropped, with the overall average speed down from 23.77mph in 2016 to 21.92mph in 2021 across the 65 streets surveyed, with the fastest drivers dropping their speeds most. For every 1mph fall in speed, the research indicates a 5% reduction in accidents, while those accidents which do occur at lower speeds result in less severe injuries.
