20 MPH Speed Limit

Reference number: 
SYSCP - 20110408
Request date: 
08/2011
Response date: 
09/08/2011 (All day)
Request details: 

I would like to know the following:

Do you as a police force enforce 20mph speed limits?
If you do, how do you enforce them?
If you don't, why not?
How many 20mph "zones" are there in your area?
How many people have your force given fines for breaking 20mph speed limits?
How many people were given a punishment for breaking 20mph speed limits?
What punishments were given?
What is your forces view on the enforcement of 20mph speed limits?
SYP response: 

Q1, Q3 &Q 8

I approached our Head of Road Policing regarding your request and have been advised that

20 mph is not a statutory limit, although there are proposals to change this.  The speed of vehicles can be brought down effectively without enforcement; through appropriate road engineering (speed humps, lane restrictions etc.).  South Yorkshire Police do not enforce the 20mph limit, the Association of Chief Police Officers( ACPO) policy is that 20mph zones should be self-enforcing by design – SYP  have adopted this policy. However, we do have the capability to enforce 20 mph should a specific risk be identified.

The Manager of South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership also commented:

"I can confirm that the SCP mobile enforcement equipment is calibrated and Home Office Type Approved for enforcement at 20mph. However, we enforce on behalf of South Yorkshire Police and it is their policy NOT to enforce 20mph limits/zones. It is felt that such limits/zones should be self enforcing’

Q2 Not applicable as per above

Q4 No information held by SYP.  You may want to approach the Road Safety Departments within each Local Authority for this information.

Q5, Q6 & Q7  Nil, as per above