Islington Council are installing new electronic signs to warn drivers who exceed the borough’s 20mph speed limit.
Islington was the first London borough to introduce a 20mph limit across all its roads.
Islington remains the only London Borough where its borough-wide 20mph is enforced by the police.
The new Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) flash a warning at anyone driving over the borough’s limit of 20mph.
When approached by a speeding vehicle, the signs are triggered and light up, reminding the driver to slow down.
Studies have shown that the signs can reduce accidents to an extent comparable with speed cameras.
Islington will locate the signs in areas of the borough where the speed limit is not currently being kept by motorists, including Highbury Park and Hornsey Rise.
All roads in Islington are covered by 20mph restrictions apart from some of those managed by Transport for London (TfL).
Executive member for environment and transport, Councillor Claudia Webbe, said: “Islington was a pioneer of 20mph limits, and we’re committed to lower speeds to make the borough safer.
“We work closely with the police on enforcement of the 20mph limit, and these signs will act as a further deterrent to speeding vehicles and help to keep residents, cyclists and other road users safe.
“Other councils have followed our lead and we are continuing to encourage TfL to make all of their roads through Islington 20mph as well.”
The funding for the purchase and installation of the Vehicle Activated Signs has come from TfL.
Sam Monck, Head of Borough Projects and Programmes at TfL said:
“We’re very supportive of any measures to improve road safety and it’s great to see Islington Council taking the lead in this area.
“These new signs as well as their 20mph speed limit on all roads, are helping to reduce the number of accidents in the local area. We hope that our funding for the project will help to reduce them even further.”
For more information contact:
Hannah Kirby
Communications Graduate Trainee
020 7527 3064
[email protected]
If someone is hit by a car at 40 mph they are 90% likely to be killed.
If someone is hit by a car at 30 mph they are 50% likely to be killed.
If someone is hit by a car at 20 mph they are 10% likely to be killed.
(http://www.safespeed.org.uk/killspeed.html)
