Stori Fer
In a parallel universe, where 20mph was always the default speed limit in built-up areas, a newcomer arrives in town. And he (it’s definitely a ‘he’) has a persuasive message…
Newcomer: “I’ve got a great idea. Why don’t we increase the speed limits to 30mph? That way, everyone can get around loads quicker, it’ll save heaps of time, and people will be able to do things other than just sitting in their cars”.
Resident: “But won’t it mean people will be killed and injured if motor vehicles are travelling faster?”
Newcomer: “Well, only an additional 10 people killed and a few thousand injured“.
Resident: “But that’s every year, right?”
Newcomer: “Erm, yes, that’s right”
Resident: “And what will the cost to our health service be from those additional casualties?”
Newcomer: “Oh, about £100 million”
Resident: “Per year, yes?”
Newcomer: “Well, yes, every year from now on”.
Resident: “Uh-huh. And here in CymruParallel we really like that our whole community, young and old, disabled people, they enjoy being on our streets. Walking about in safety, biking, chatting, buying things from local shops. Do you think there’d be much impact on that if cars are buzzing about 50% faster – with more than double the kinetic energy?”
Newcomer: “I suppose there’s bound to be some impact, especially if some of them start to become statistics”.
Resident: “And aren’t vehicles noisier when they go faster?”
Newcomer: “Well, yes. But it’s only 2 decibels extra noise”
Resident: “So you’d like to increase the speed limit, which will kill tens and maim hundreds of people across our country every year, itself costing us at least £100 million every year in health costs, will make our towns and cities less pleasant places to be and will reduce people’s opportunities to travel by bike and by foot and be sociable in our towns. And what exactly is the plus side of all this?”.
Newcomer: “Many journeys by car will be up to a minute faster”.
Resident: “I think you’d better hasten back to your mean, horrible alternative universe”.
Gadael Ymateb