The Department for Transport has advised local authorities to keep speeds in residential streets down to 20mph "unless there are overriding reasons for accepting higher speeds".
The limit would be enforced by "time over distance" devices that measure the average speed of a car between two points. This is to stop motorists accelerating when there is one camera in use.
These cameras are undergoing trials and are still awaiting approval for use in 20mph zones from the Home Office.
The news comes as the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (Pacts) published its report calling for sweeping changes to reduce the number of people killed and injured on roads.
It called for the cameras to be approved for use in speed zones under 30mph and said the cameras were seen as safer and more car-friendly than speed humps. Pacts said humps and chicanes led to an increase in vehicle emissions and proved expensive and unpopular.
However, the proposals were criticised last night.
Paul Smith, the camera campaigner, said the plans were "ridiculous". "We don't need more regulation," he said. "We need better drivers through education and road safety culture." |