Slow down in residential areas

Raise your right foot for slower speeds on your street.

In residential areas, drivers share the road with people walking, cycling and wheeling, including children and older residents. Everyone has a right to use these streets safely. This includes you.

Speed limits

Speed limits are clearly signed and must be obeyed. A red‑bordered sign shows a mandatory speed limit.

Excessive speed means breaking the legal limit and may lead to fines and penalty points. Inappropriate speed means driving within the limit but too fast for the conditions.

A speed limit is not a target. Safe speeds are often lower, depending on the road environment. Choosing the correct speed is a continuous decision.

Slow down. You live here. Your neighbours live here. Look out for each other.

Why speed matters

Small increases in speed can mean the difference between stopping safely and causing serious injury.

Driving too fast – or too fast for conditions – increases both the risk of a collision and the severity of injury.

Slowing down gives you more time to react and reduces harm if a collision occurs.

Stopping distances

The Highway Code explains stopping distances as:

• thinking distance: time to react
• braking distance: time to stop the vehicle

At 20mph, you can stop in around 12 metres (about 3 car lengths).

At 30mph, it takes an extra 11 metres to stop. This extra distance could be the difference between stopping safely and hitting a pedestrian.

For more information, see the Highway Code (Rule 125).

Set the pace

If you drive, you can help by:

• slowing down on residential streets
• being aware of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable users
• never exceeding speed limits
• driving at a speed appropriate to conditions
• following advisory speed guidance where it is in place

Road safety starts with you. Slow down. You live here. Your neighbours live here. Look out for each other and lead by example.