Campaigns
20's plenty - Private Members Bill
Conall is campaigning to reduce the speed limit on urban residential streets from 30mph to 20mph, and is seeking your views on a Private Member's Bill he plans to bring to the Assembly in order to implement legislative change in this region.
HAVE YOUR SAY HERE: http://kwiksurveys.com?u=20mph_Consultation
I am seeking your views on the introduction of a 20mph speed limit on some designated restricted roads as part of my bid to introduce a Private Members Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Road injuries are amongst the leading causes of loss of life and disability worldwide, and regionally, a reduction in road related death and injury is a major aim of public policy. The World Health Organisation has identified speed as the single most important contributor to road fatalities. Research from the Department for Transport (DfT) found that if a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle travelling at 20mph, there is about a 2.5% (1 in 40) chance of being killed, or 97.5% chance of surviving, which compares with the research which states that if hit by a car travelling at 30mph, there is about a 20% (1 in 5) chance of being killed, or 80% chance of survival. This pattern further correlates if you increase the speed, increasing chance of death.
At present, there are some designated 20mph zones in this region; however the introduction of legislation to be applied to appropriate designated streets would represent a positive step towards making our streets a safer place. It is envisaged that the legislation would apply only to smaller residential streets and not major thoroughfares.
As a legislator, I believe we should be seeking to effect positive change in our society, and I believe that reducing the speed limits on some of our roads would ensure fewer accidents and fatalities on our streets, as well as the possibility of playing a part in contributing to public health, through encouraging more people to walk and cycle for short, every day journeys.
To respond to the consultation online please visit http://kwiksurveys.com?u=20mph_Consultation or contact Anna by telephone on 028 90 683535 or alternatively email c.mcdevitt@sdlp.ie.
I will also be hosting a stakeholder event on Monday 11 June 2012 (time TBC) in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings, Stormont which will give us the opportunity to debate the issues relating to this important issue. Should you wish to attend this, please contact my office on 028 90683535 or email c.mcdevitt@sdlp.ie.