UK Considers Slashing Urban Speed Limits to 10mph for Safety

UK Proposals Aim to Cut Speed Limits to 10mph on Urban Roads

A recent proposal by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has stirred nationwide debate by recommending that speed limits be reduced to as low as 10mph on certain UK roads. The initiative, rooted in a drive to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, particularly focuses on areas with high pedestrian activity such as schools, hospitals, and event venues. If implemented, the move would mark one of the most significant shifts in UK road safety policy in recent decades.

The RSF’s research highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, and calls for speed adjustments that align with human tolerance to crash forces. Citing evidence from physics and medical studies, the foundation argues that slower speeds greatly increase survival rates in collisions, especially among non-motorised road users. The proposed 10mph limit—equivalent to the speed of a fast jogger—is aimed at reducing impact severity in dense urban zones.

Alongside the 10mph proposal, the RSF recommends reducing speed limits on single-carriageway roads, including rural A and B roads, from the current national standard of 60mph to 20mph. This measure is expected to significantly affect journey times, particularly in less urbanised regions, but is argued to be necessary for enhancing road safety across the board.

The report also advises setting 20mph limits in all areas where motor vehicles interact with vulnerable road users, and reserving 30mph limits for roads without pedestrian or cyclist presence. Roads with fully segregated pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, or those devoid of junctions, such as certain motorways, would remain eligible for higher limits under the new framework.

The recommendations have met strong resistance from motoring advocacy groups, who label the proposals as unrealistic and overly restrictive. Hugh Bladon of the Alliance of British Drivers stated:

"The concept of 10mph limits was so ridiculous it is simply laughable."

Bladon further criticised the RSF's approach, drawing a historical comparison:

"If you ban all motorised transport, you might reduce deaths and injury a bit, but we should remember that more people were being killed and injured in the days before motorised transport, by horses and their carriages. It might be better to ban people from walking or cycling where there is any form of motorised transport."

He added:

"The Road Safety Foundation is clearly not fit for purpose."

Despite the backlash, RSF Executive Director Dr Suzy Charman defended the proposals, emphasising that the goal is not to impose universal low speed limits, but to align travel speeds with what is physically survivable for the human body. She stated:

"We have a clear idea of the speeds that would be required to prevent most road deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads."

"We are not saying that all speeds or speed limits should be set to these speeds, rather that infrastructure needs to be improved or speeds reduced to ensure travelled speeds are better aligned with human tolerances to crash forces."

The policy suggestion mirrors recent developments in Wales, where a default 20mph limit was introduced in September 2023. The change sparked widespread public opposition, with a YouGov poll revealing that nearly two-thirds of residents were against the move. Nonetheless, supporters argue that early backlash is common in public health reforms and that long-term safety improvements could justify the transition.

The travel implications of these proposals are far-reaching. For daily commuters, logistics providers, and leisure travelers, especially in rural and suburban areas, the changes could mean longer journey times and altered travel planning. While the debate continues, the RSF maintains that road design and speed regulation must evolve in response to both scientific evidence and public safety needs.