Higher Speeds to Cure Congestion
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THAT the influence of speed on accidents has evoked more bitter controversy and muddled thinking than any other factor, is a view expressed by the National Safety First Association in a recent memorandum. This view will undoubtedly be fully endorsed by all commercial-vehicle users, for the industry has been subjected to the imposition of speed limits calculated to relegate road transport to a position far inferior to that of the railways.
The modern commercial vehicle, properly handled, is, in our opinion, quite as safe on the open road as a private car, and since many accidents are caused by impatience due to congestion, there would seem to be a sound case for an increase in its legal speed limits.
That the Minister of Transport has recently refused the proposals of representatives of the industry in this connection, is no reason why we should look upon it as a lost cause. Parliament must, of necessity, change its views from time to time, according to the dictates of modern transport requirements.
Smooth traffic flow, and consequent reduction of congestion, was, it was said, one of the major points in favour of the 30-m.p.h. limit for private cars in built-up areas. Yet, so soon as the open country is reached, wide differences in the speeds of varying types of traffic are encouraged, and this on important routes where the roads are acknowledged to be inadequate for the volume of traffic.
Speed in itself does not, as a noisy minority would have us believe, constitute the major danger on our roads to-day and, as we have so often pointed out, the only real solution to the accident problem is the provision of adequate roads. In the meantime, the raising of the speed limits of commercial vehicles would do much to mitigate the danger of congestion and would not, we think, add to the number of accidents.
Industry demands road transport, which has built up a service second to none. Why should it be shackled by out-of-date speed limits which reduce the efficiency of this service, increase congestion and cause irritation to drivers of all classes of vehicle?