An estimated £75.6 million was spent on traffic calming measures in 2014, according to new analysis by Churchill Car Insurance.
These include the use of self-enforcing speed reduction measures such as road humps, mini roundabouts, chicanes, central islands and reduced speed limits.
The overall spend on traffic calming measures increased by an estimated £26.1 million (53%) in 2014 compared to 2013. On a local authority level, the average spend increased from £213,895 to £327,0585 between 2013 and 2014, however the amount spent per council varies significantly.
The study also revealed that there are now an estimated 5,900 zones with 20mph limits in the UK today, a good investment when you consider there to be just a 1.5% chance of being fatally injured at 20mph, compared to an eight per cent chance at 30 mph. In 2013, 3,064 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes where speed was a factor.
Consumer research suggests that while 42& of Brits believe traffic calming measures are effective in slowing vehicles down, almost half (47%) think these measures cause damage to vehicles and just under a quarter (23%) of motorists say they have experienced this first hand. In 2014, an estimated £47,1969 was paid out in compensation for personal injury or damages to vehicles caused by traffic calming measures.
Steve Barrett, head of car insurance at Churchill Insurance, said: “It is encouraging to see a significant increase in funding for traffic calming measures, as it plays a valuable role in managing the safety of our roads. With that said, road safety is a very complex issue and traffic calming is one of many factors that can impact on this.
“We urge motorists to drive with caution and follow the rules of the road, which includes abiding by traffic calming measures. While some may see them as a hindrance, they are an integral part of protecting both motorists and pedestrians and in keeping accident rates to a minimum.”
