Speeding “puts all road users at risk”

10.39 | 18 May 2022 | | 4 comments

A new campaign has been launched to remind road users in Buckinghamshire that whatever the excuse, there’s no excuse for speeding.

Travel Safe Bucks says managing speed is something a lot of drivers and riders seem to struggle with, for many different reasons. 

Among the excuses highlighted are: “I was late for work”, “I didn’t see the sign” and “there was no one else on the road”.

The ‘No Excuses, No Speeding’ campaign aims to give drivers tips to help them travel within the limit. 

These include:

  • Know the limits for the vehicle you are driving – look for signs, especially at junctions
  • Check your speedometer regularly – especially when leaving high speed roads
  • Assume streetlights mean 30mph, unless signs tell you otherwise
  • Use the technology on your vehicle to help manage your speed
  • Recognise triggers that might cause you to speed – running late, being tailgated
  • Concentrate – distracted drivers can miss a lot, especially speed limit signs
  • Plan your journey and allow plenty of time

As part of the campaign, Travel Safe Bucks – Buckinghamshire Council’s road safety initiative – has produced a free, online e-learning module and multiple eco-driving assessments which provide tips on how to manage speed.

The campaign also has a free downloadable toolkit for schools, businesses and local communities to help tackle speeding in their area.

Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire Council cabinet member for transport, said: “Speeding remains an issue for many communities across the county and can spoil the quality of life for areas blighted by speeding drivers, particularly in rural villages. 

“It’s an issue we work with local partners, such as Thames Valley Police, to address. Speeding puts all road users at risk, not just the driver.

“As the weather improves and more people are using the roads, either driving, riding, cycling or walking, it’s important that we are aware of vulnerable road users and try to keep each other safe on the roads. 

“Please remember, whatever your excuse, there really is no excuse for speeding.”


 

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    June – I appreciate your reponse, but as someone who also used to speak to drivers about their speed (and yes I have heard all the excuses as well!) what used to come across was how poor their general driving awereness was, as far as vehicle control, dynamics etc. which all ties in with their speed anyway ….and their lack of observation and concentration of course.


    Hugh Jones, Cheshire
    Agree (2) | Disagree (5)
    --3

    Hugh, I agree with your comment, but this campaign is aimed at educating drivers how to recognise the speed limit for the type of road they are driving on and the vehicle they are in and to dispel some of the excuses that drivers/riders may use to justify their speeding. It was based on excuses that drivers have given us when they are stopped for speeding by the police when we have been doing partnership roadside checks. The roadside checks are also an excellent way to detect other driving behaviours, such as careless or reckless driving.


    June Howlett, Aylesbury
    Agree (2) | Disagree (2)
    0

    Of course the other side of the picture is “speedster councils”. Those who fail to update their speed limit setting policies and so endorse driving at speeds where we know pedestrians and cyclists (as well as other car occupants) are at risk when mistakes are made. The national 30mph limit is no longer “national” with 28 million people living in councils or places where the local or national government has said that it is no longer fit for purpose and where they have adopted 20mph as an urban/village norm. This is in line with UN and their call for 30km/h as a norm wherever cars mix with people.

    Just as “speeding drivers” need to review their behaviour and act within the law, “speedster councils” need to review their behaviour and stop being apologists for the endorsement of speed with limits that they know will kill and maim as well as suppressing active travel, increasing pollution and maintaining unsustainable travel.


    Rod King, Lymm
    Agree (2) | Disagree (8)
    --6

    “Speeding puts all road users at risk…” True – but it is worth adding that the typical speeder’s general driving standard is usually compromised across the board as well, so it might not necessarily be the their speed at the time that puts all road users at risk, but their general carelessness and recklessness that goes with it.


    Hugh Jones, Cheshire
    Agree (3) | Disagree (6)
    --3

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