Wiki Wednesday: Twenty’s Plenty

In July 2008, the British Medical Association called for theapplication of 20 mph zones throughout residential neighborhoods, notjust in the vicinity of schools, where they are commonly applied.Stockport public health director Dr. Stephen Watkins stated that "achild hit at 20mph has a 5% chance of dying compared to 50% at 30mph."He noted the difference between a two mile journey at 20mph and a twomile journey at 40 mph was just three minutes. "We are killing ourchildren for the sake of a couple of minutes," he said.

The UK study of best traffic practices across the Europe and the U.K.concluded that 20 mph streets also increased pedestrian activity,bicycling, a sense of safety among residents, and economic activity. The study cited evidence from the city of Horsham, U.K., where 20 mphspeed limits, along with a bypass road, public arts, gardens, and otherpedestrian amenities have lead to the opening of new shops andrestaurants, and a higher level of overall economic activity.