News from Westminster Labour

Westminster 20mph limit would save tax payers £50m a year

Introducing a 20mph speed limit on residential roads in Westminster will save tax payers £50 million a year, according to Labour Councillors who say that Department for Transport figures show that each death on the roads costs £1.8m and each injury costs £59,700 in hospital, police and ambulance costs, lost taxation and lost working days and lost production.

In 2008, 1,604 people were injured on Westminster’s roads, including 20 people who lost their lives. Recent research published in the British Medical Journal shows that 20mph speed zones were associated with a 40 per cent reduction casualties.

Labour Councillors say that that introducing a 20mph speed limit in residential roads in Westminster could cut road accidents by 40% and save 8 lives a year and cut road injuries by 600 a year. In more detail:

* Cutting roads deaths by 8 would save £14.4 million a year;
* Cutting road accidents by 600 would save £35.8 million a year;
* In total, a 20 mph speed limit could save £50.2 million a year.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said:

“Introducing a 20mph speed limit on Westminster’s residential streets will not only save lives but it will also save huge sums in hospital, police and ambulance costs, which we estimate to be over £50 million a year.”

“Cutting road accidents will allow our hospitals to spend more time on treating people with serious illnesses and give the police more time to catch criminals and cut down on anti-social behaviour.”

“We have had a very strong response from residents all over Westminster who support the idea of a 20mph speed limit in residential areas and on 6th May Westminster residents will have their chance to vote on this life-saving and cost-saving proposal.”

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