I think there is a lot wrong with the use and abuse of road traffic management. For example, we have a maximum speed limit on our motorways that hasn’t changed since they were introduced. Cars now are far more capable than they were, and I’ve noticed that the usual speed of motorway traffic seems to be higher than the speed limit. It seems as well, that these speeds are tolerated – their enforcement hardly seems rigorous. So, what’s going on?
Traffic management in our towns seems increasingly draconic and motorist-unfriendly. We have highly unpopular initiatives such as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, and I’ve lost focus on what’s happening with parking controls.
There seem to be conflicting motivations; on the one hand, we have more car ownership than ever, and on the other, the ‘safer’ options, like lowering speed limits, make useful income for local government. What we seem to need is a firm application of consistent thought and of common-sense, but what we seem to get is a large dose of apathy-cum-complacency combined with political idealism. What’s the point in implementing a 20mph speed limit on a stretch of road that’s been proven adequately safe with a 30mph limit? Why do people not complain more?