Glasgow's 20mph Zones Fail to Protect Pedestrians, Study Finds

According to a recent study, the controversial 20mph speed limit zones introduced in Scotland's largest city, Glasgow, have not effectively protected pedestrians as claimed. The SNP-led Glasgow City Council has spent £8.6 million to extend these low-speed zones into dozens of neighborhoods across the metropolis, justifying the move as a life-saving measure.

However, the research conducted by scholars at Nottingham University and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece has found that the 20mph crackdown has so far been ineffective in cutting serious injuries to pedestrians struck by vehicles. The study, published in the journal Accident Analysis & Prevention, concludes that the Glasgow 20mph scheme "has not significantly altered the disproportionately high risk of pedestrians being involved in severe collisions."

The study also identified additional risk factors, including drivers under 26 and over 65 who appear to be simply ignoring the 20mph speed limits in Glasgow. In contrast, the 20mph zones in Edinburgh have shown some positive impact, with motorists driving at lower speeds on residential streets and carrying that habit onto busier roads.

Despite the lack of tangible safety benefits, Glasgow's local authority plans to spend a fortune turning almost every street under its jurisdiction into a 20mph zone. This comes as the city faces a financial crisis, with the council needing to find an extra £80 million by 2028 to balance its books.