Introduce A 30 mph Speed Limit On Rural Single Track Lanes

Rural areas typically contain narrow single track roads (one car width) with passing places, such as gateways or pull in spaces, at intermittent and undefined locations. In nearly all cases the national speed limit of 60 mph applies on these roads and this is the speed which typically will show up on a satnav system. For visitors to an area or those who are not used to driving in such lanes, this can be misleading. And for those who regularly navigate such areas, complacency lead to higher speeds, with the 60mph limit being a convenient excuse in driving at speeds which are not suitable for the environment. Such lanes might have high hedges, blind summits and sharp bends, causing lack of visibility, not to mention unexpected obstructions or the skid risk of mud on the road. Rural lanes are frequently used by local pedestrians, runners, hikers, cyclists, horse riders, by farmers for moving livestock, tractors, or similar large agricultural machinery, between fields, and by wildlife, such as deer. Typically there is minimal refuge from vehicles for other users and not every driver is considerate in how they approach a scenario. For multiple vehicles meeting in these lanes, either one or other vehicle will be required to reverse, often some distance, to an available passing place. Hence in these range of complex scenarios, a 60mph speed limit in single track lanes is both inappropriate and significantly increases the risk of death or severe injury to people (both pedestrian and drivers), or animals. According to the RAC Foundation, 60 per cent of all fatal motoring accidents occur on country roads and an average of three deaths per day. The Government Ministers for Transport are asked to consider amending the national speed limit on single track roads to a safer lower speed to a maximum of 30 mph.