Calls to change built-up road speed limit to 20mph after "unusually high" fatal crashes in Essex
There has been 28 crashes so far this year on Essex roads compared to 13 this time last year, says Safer Essex Roads Partnership
Last updated 11th May 2025
As Essex faces an "unusually high" number of fatal crashes so far this year, our county's road safety organisation is calling for the default speed limit on built-up roads to change to 20mph, rather than 30mph.
Since the beginning of the year there's been 28 fatalities on our roads, compared to 13 at the same point last year.
Will Cubbin from Safer Essex Roads Partnership tells Greatest Hits Radio this is "too many".
"It's been a very bad year in Essex fatality wise. At the start of February we had six in a single day, which is most we've ever had on record.
On 1 February, four students from the University of Essex died after their vehicle collided with a building in Magdalen Street, Colchester.
The same day, two siblings, Roman and Darcie Casselden, were hit by a car whilst riding their scooters in Ashlyns in Pitsea.
The Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) is a partnership between emergency services and councils in Essex who work together to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads.
"Although we do not manage the Highway Authority Function, our members do, so we advise them on road safety measures.
"Currently we're looking very closely at measures they've undertaken in Wales.
The default speed limit in Wales changed on September 17, 2023, when it was reduced from 30mph to 20mph on roads with streetlights, typically found in residential and built-up areas.
In England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the default speed limit is 30 mph (48 km/h) on these types of roads.
Local authorities can introduce lower speed limits but they must be signed.
Research by insurance company ESURE shows, since the change, people in Wales now save an average of £45 a year on their car insurance because of claim reduction.
It's also found a year-on-year reduction in casualties of 28%.
Mr Cubbin says "despite being politically very controversial, the benefits are clear."
The Partnership are currently advising Highway Authorities on how to implement it in "a way that works for our areas".