Last updated 11:45, Monday, 11 August 2008

THE speed limit on many residential roads could be slashed to 20mph in a bid to cut road deaths by a third.

Euro MEP Chris Davies is fighting for lower speed limits on residential roads

Research from the Department for Transport shows that one in five pedestrians struck by a car at 30mph dies – reduced to one in 40 at 20mph.

North West Euro MP Chris Davies introduced a Bill in the House of Commons to reduce speeds to 20mph in side streets while serving as an MP in 1997.

He said: “Introducing 20mph limits away from main roads is a simple and effective means of saving lives that also improves the quality of life for everyone.

“The Government’s own transport department has found that the risk of a child being involved in an accident has reduced by around two-thirds where 20mph zones have been installed.”

But Andrew McGavin, who set up a website for anyone to report bad driving, believes a speed reduction would be fruitless.

The founder of BetterDrivingPlease.com said: “Setting a new limit of 20mph will only slow down law-abiding drivers.

“There is an underclass of motorists who genuinely don’t fear being caught breaking traffic laws. They’re prepared to risk driving without insurance. And they don’t fear cameras because they can swap or alter their number plates.

“The real answer is to quadruple efforts to catch and prosecute the persistent offenders.”

He said he has first-hand evidence of what little effect the introduction of new road laws has had.

Last February the penalty for using a handheld mobile phone increased to a £60 fine and three points.

Since then, reports on BetterDrivingPlease.com of drivers flouting the amended law have increased, and currently stand at 2,700.

People report the number plate of the offending vehicle, what they did and where.

The Government is preparing a road safety strategy for the next decade and will publish proposals later this year.