States’ speed limit proposals ‘flawed’

Although it is possible that there has been another report made, I do recall back in 2011 a document was released by the relevant States department at the time regarding a review of speed limits in the island.

The report itself was rubbished by not only myself but the editor of the Guernsey Press and others as it opened by saying there was no need for change and then went on to say why change was needed.

I did, however, at the time agree with a very few of the points raised.

To save going over it all again, I have appended a copy of my original letter below.

I particularly draw your attention to the paragraph concerning the environment. Reducing the speed limits will not only increase pollution as cars will be constantly in the wrong gear, but with the many automatic cars these day, they will never get into a higher fuel- saving gear as you have to exceed 30mph for them to change. So the environmental argument is seriously flawed and on this basis alone the latest proposals should be thrown out.

By the way, what happened to increasing the speed limit to 40mph on a few suitable roads? Have they forgotten that recommendation? This would make for better fuel efficiency in the island.

Any driver knows that the fuel consumption of a car in Guernsey is significantly higher than when in the UK, something in the region of 10/11 miles per gallon. So our pollution levels are quite high enough without increasing them even more.

Speed Limits Review. (Letter from 2011):

Firstly, before I comment, I would like you to know that my driving experience is considerable and varied.

I was some years ago a rally driver and rallied in such places as east Africa, so understand the meaning and use of speed.

I also was a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists for many years, but have let my membership lapse. Though hopefully I still keep to good driving practice.

I also have lived and driven in over 20 different countries, on roads that varied from motorways to dirt roads and even open desert.

And in case this implies I am not an islander, I am.

The report: I am completely staggered by your report, and can only refer you to the editorial in today’s (22/3/2011) Press, on the grounds I couldn’t have put it better myself.

This report should never have been completed. You start by saying there isn’t a problem then go on to try and solve a problem that doesn’t exist.

Your own results from your surveys show there is no problem and the vast majority of drivers are well within the speed limits.

However the report exists, so here are my comments, hopefully constructive.

I do agree that there are a few roads where the limit could be increased to 40mph instead of 35, for instance those outlined in pink on the driven survey results. But your initial draft doesn’t include these. Why?

I also agree that, where the schools are, the speed limits should be reduced and controlled only during the appropriate hours.

In this regard simple signage will not do. You really must get a grip on this and put up proper flashing lights (not the almost invisible alternating yellow lights which are currently in use at some schools).

The old Grammar schools had a big red flashing light and a legend saying School round them. There are even better systems these days, which should be looked into with some urgency. Do we really have to wait until somebody loses a child?

I have carefully gone through all your results and can see no reason whatsoever to try and introduce a 20mph speed limit. Nearly every result shows that people drive within the limit. Surely you are not using this as an excuse to reduce the existing limit.

If you really feel you must do something to justify the report then the minor roads could be put to 25mph, but 20 would be just ridiculous, and your own results show that.

Furthermore in these days of austerity and pollution reduction, this will only increase fuel usage and therefore pollution.

Cars running at 20mph will inevitably be in a lower gear than running at, say, 30mph.

There is also the problem one experiences using automatic cars. For instance a three-gear automatic will not change into third gear until it reaches 30-plus mph so it will stay in second gear, using more fuel and creating more pollution. This is one of my main points for increasing the speed where appropriate to 40mph as many automatics don’t change until over 35mph.

Bear in mind that car gearing is not suited for Guernsey, it is developed and set for the rest of Europe.

The Ruettes Tranquille system should be left as it is, and the recommended 15mph speed limit left to drivers’ discretion as it is at present.

As the press editorial said, there are a few idiots out there who seem to think the law doesn’t apply to them. So target them, we have a huge police force, we know where the hotspots are, so do something about it. Same with the schools, hide a policeman with a radar gun in the area for a few mornings and that will wake a few people up.

Could be a nice little earner to pay for the new lights and control system at the schools.

Finally, those famous words, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. And your report shows it is not broken.

JOHN BUCHANAN SNR,

Address withheld.