Road Safety Bill [HL]

I am not in favour of this amendment. If there is a need for a reduced speed limit for any reason, then yes, you should be able to put a sign saying, ““20””. But to have it as the default is making it far too extensive. It would be better if we could teach children to cross at the correct crossing—we used to have the very good green cross code that taught children that. Outside the schools there is nothing better than the lights which can be turned on at the hours the children are leaving rather than having traffic restricted all day when no child is coming out of the school, because then it discredits the sign and people will drive through without thinking that this is a moment when a child might be coming out. I know that the noble Lord, Lord Berkeley, is an enthusiastic cyclist, but the way I see them coming up on the inside of the car when I am driving and crossing the traffic lights while the lights are still against them when I am on a bus, I am surprised that many more of them are not killed. Cyclists seem to be a law unto themselves and I would not want this restriction imposed upon everyone else on their behalf.