Cut speed to 20mph to save lives, Health Development Agency says
The Health Development Agency is calling for speed to be cut to 20mph on residential roads to reduce death and injury among children by 67 per cent. According to the Health Development Agency, this simple method of accident prevention could save around 13,000 children from death or injury on the roads each year.

This issue is highlighted in an evidence briefing from the Health Development Agency. The report, ‘Prevention and reduction of accidental injury in children and older people’ provides evidence on the best ways to improve the safety of these vulnerable groups, based on a review of research from around the world.

The evidence also shows that children from poorer social classes are at a disproportionately higher risk of accidental death and injury than children from richer groups. The death rate for pedestrian accidents is five times higher for children from the lowest social class compared to those from the highest social class.

"It’s shocking that in 21st century England, children are more likely to die because of the social class they are born into," says Paul Streets, chief executive of the Health Development Agency. "The difference in road injury rates between poor and rich children is a stark and unacceptable example of health inequality. The safety of the roads must be prioritised to protect our children, and particularly children from disadvantaged households. We know what works - it’s time to use that knowledge and save young lives."

The need for 20mph speed restrictions in areas of higher pedestrian activity is supported by the findings of the Accidental Injury Task Force report to the Chief Medical Officer, which recommended they be introduced as a priority.

Research by the IPPR reaches the same conclusion. Based on its evidence, the Health Development Agency will be working with local authorities to support the implementation of 20mph zones in disadvantaged areas to reduce the disproportionate toll of road injury suffered by these communities.

Professor Mike Kelly, the Health Development Agency’s director of research and information said: "As well as putting 20mph speed restrictions into place, there needs to be a firm resolve to enforce these measures. Drivers all too often ignore restrictions by driving too fast. Schemes such as those implemented in Hull have been hugely successful in reducing car speeds and road deaths and injuries – over 300 accidents have been prevented in the city since the 20mph zone implementation. Roads have been car-focussed for too long - it’s time for a balance that improves safety for the whole community."

The Health Development Agency evidence briefing "Prevention and reduction of accidental injury in children and older people" is available at www.hda.nhs.uk or by calling 0870 121 4194.