Dorling notes that more than 1 900 people died on Britain’s roads in 2011, and the proportion of pedestrian deaths rose. The introduction of 20 mph zones would save lives, prevent injuries and reduce health inequalities (there is a correlation in the UK between the rate of child pedestrian deaths and socio-economic disadvantage). Slowing down cars, Dorling claims, “would be one of the cheapest and most effective methods for improving public health today.” Dorling outlines 10 broader benefits of 20 mph zones and cites examples of where the introduction of such zones has been effective. Interesting medical research concerning the relative inability of children to effectively judge the speed of oncoming vehicles is cited.
This article is included (as Chapter 3) in L. Newby and N. Denison (eds) If You Could Do One Thing: Nine Local Actions to Reduce Health Inequalities.