Yes / No / Not Given
The case for slower streets
Do the statements agree with the views of the writer? Choose Yes, No or Not Given.
A
Many city authorities treat traffic speed as a question of journey time, yet the character of a street changes when vehicles travel more slowly. People are more likely to cross, stop at a shop or speak to a neighbour. In my view, this social effect is a stronger argument for lower speed limits than the small reduction in traffic noise.
B
Critics often claim that slower limits automatically create long delays. The evidence is less straightforward. On streets with frequent junctions, average journey time is influenced more by queues and traffic lights than by the highest permitted speed. A lower limit may therefore change the fastest part of a trip without changing the total time very much.
C
Lower limits are not sufficient by themselves. A sign beside a wide, straight road may be ignored because the design still tells drivers to move quickly. Trees, narrower lanes and raised crossings make the intended speed feel natural. Cities should combine rules with physical design instead of choosing one or the other.