Liberal Democrat Group Member Motion

This council notes that while prevention of speeding in and around Oxford is both a frequently-raised complaint and a serious danger to vulnerable road users, Thames Valley Police action has been scant, with budget shortages often cited. Therefore this council calls on the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley to work with local councils to address these problems, including by accepting targeted funding from those councils.

It is well documented that speed kills, both increasing the likelihood of an accident and resulting in more severe consequences when they happen. Further, the majority of people injured in road accidents are not drivers themselves, but vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Even when accidents do not result, it is likely a perception of a dangerous road environment will discourage active travel, contrary to the council's air-quality and public health goals.

Oxfordshire County Council has and continues to work to improve safety in and around Oxford, for example by introducing urban 20mph zones. Similarly, many trunk roads around Oxford carry limits below the national speed limit for the safety of vulnerable road users and for air quality improvement. However, while both of these are welcome, they can only yield safety benefits if drivers stick to the limit, and speeding on both contexts remains common and unpunished.

This motion was not taken as the time allocated for debate had finished.