MANY drivers are blatantly ignoring new 20mph speed limits across Dumfries and Galloway, it has been revealed.
A programme of creating 20mph speed zones has been rolled out by the council in recent years to improve public safety.
However, some motorists are simply disregarding the new rules.
A 20mph speed limits programme progress report has been produced for the council’s economy and resources committee next week.
Tony Topping, the council’s team leader for network strategy and road safety, wrote: “The most common area of concern across all user groups with 20mph speed limits is compliance. Public feedback and opinion suggests that stronger enforcement measures are required if 20mph limits are to be effective.
“Lack of enforcement and lack of concern about the consequences of speeding were identified as the primary reason for non-compliance in driver interviews and with various focus groups.
“The national approach has been that successful 20 mph limits are generally self enforcing (i.e. the existing conditions of the road together with signing, publicity and information).
“The aim is that an appropriate road or street should have a recorded mean traffic speed generally compliant with the proposed speed limit; and to achieve compliance there should be no expectation on the police to provide additional enforcement beyond their routine activity, unless this has been explicitly agreed.
“Dumfries and Galloway Council have taken the approach that roads identified as appropriate for a 20mph speed limit should be “self-explaining” and ‘self-enforcing’ to the road user.
“However, speeds and driver behaviour will be monitored and evaluated and where a level of compliance is not being met, options will be considered including additional speed management measures, publicity campaigns, enforcement patrols etc.”
The council is modelling the Scottish Government’s commitment to a national strategy for 20mph speed limits, which also ties in with successes of a UK roll-out of these safety zones.
Transport Scotland provides funding to the council for implementing such schemes.
While the council is aiming to reduce the speed of vehicles at these specified locations, it has no powers to enforce the rules. Police Scotland is the only organisation which can take action and prosecute a speeding motorist.
