As part of Road Safety Week 2023, Kier Gallagher, Campaigns manager at Cycling UK, highlights the serious dangers rural roads pose to cyclists.
20mph speed limits are already in place in most urban and residential areas, which have proven to save lives. However, some rural areas, such as country lanes, often have speed limits of 60mph, even though these areas typically have limited visibility due to hedges and tight corners, making it difficult to drive safely. Drivers are responsible for adjusting their speed safely, depending on their surroundings, conditions, and other road users.
Gallegher sites, it is therefore no surprise that a disproportionate number of cyclists are killed on rural roads – in 2022, 31% of cycling miles were on rural roads, compared to 51% of fatalities.
“Whether it’s a road outside a school, or a rural country lane, determining the ‘appropriate speed’ isn’t something we should be leaving to individual drivers, who are not only disconnected from the surrounding world but may be in a rush, distracted, or simply have a high-risk threshold. Anyone who’s cycled on country lanes will have experienced drivers hurling towards them around blind corners before slamming on the brakes.”
While it has been noted that some local authorities are addressing the issue by reducing speed limits and introducing new traffic regulation orders, campaigners such as Brake and Cycling UK are asking for nationally recognised safer speed limits, including on rural roads.
Read the full article here: Why We Need Safe Speed Limits On Rural Roads – written for Road Safety Week 2023 by Kier Gallagher, Campaigns Manager at Cycling UK.
Road Safety Week 2023 – Let’s Talk About Speed
These are not the only concerns regarding road safety statistics. As part of Road Safety Week 2023, Brake, the charity that runs the yearly campaign, analysed the latest government road casualty data, revealing a worrying 10% increase in UK road fatalities in 2022, with 1,766 lives lost (1,711 in Britain, 55 in Northern Ireland). Additionally, their analysis highlights a troubling 20% rise in road deaths attributed to drivers surpassing speed limits during the same period.
Brake has also released the results of a public opinion survey, in which more than 2,000 drivers were asked about their driving habits and attitudes to speed and speed limits to coincide with the launch of this year’s campaign. Results show that more than a third of those surveyed (34%) said they sometimes or often drive faster than the speed limit, and 40% think that driving just a little over the speed limit doesn’t matter. Subsequently, the charity is using this year’s campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of excessive and inappropriate speed and challenge why so many people still think driving faster than the speed limit is acceptable.
To access the press release and survey results in full, click the reference links below:
Reference sources:
- Let’s talk about speed!’ says Brake, as road deaths caused by speeding rise by 20% in 2022
- Brake (2023) Let’s talk about SPEED: a Road Safety Week survey report
Cyclist and Motor Bike Accident Compensation Solicitors
As highlighted in these recent figures, cyclists and motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users, making them more susceptible to serious or fatal injuries in the event of a road traffic accident. At Bridge McFarland LLP, our specialist road traffic accident solicitors can provide expert advice and guidance if you or a loved one has been involved in a cycling or motorbike accident that wasn’t your fault.
To find out more about making a claim and receive the support you need, contact Bridge McFarland LLP today by calling 0800 987 8800 or email enquiries@bmcf.co.uk. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you in seeking the compensation you deserve for your road traffic accident.
