The Association of Chief Police Officers has issued new guidance on the enforcement of speed limits in the UK.
The updated publication specifically addresses 20mph limits and zones, and states that such areas must “feel and look like a 20mph zone rather than a zone with a 30mph or higher limit”, if the speed limit is to be routinely enforced.
The guidance also states that areas that do not fit the aforementioned profile should not have their limits regularly enforced.
It said that “routine enforcement” would only be employed “if the limit is regarded as appropriate given the prevailing road conditions in the area and clarity is offered to non-local drivers.”
Nigel Humphries, of the Association of British Drivers, supported the guidance, but claimed that police forces were not acting on it: “In general the attitude of ACPO is commendable. The gist of these guidelines is that limits should suit the road and that police should use their discretion to enforce only where the limit is obvious to drivers and would be what they would expect from what they can see through the windscreen.
“Limits should not be set well below what drivers would expect to see and then be enforced to achieve high rates of offender punishment.
“Unfortunately, many local authorities and police chiefs appear not to understand this simple concept, believing that just sticking up a sign and prosecuting thousands of safe drivers somehow improves safety.
“It does not, but it does, of course, make a lot of money for those selling enforcement equipment and training courses.”
