Motorists urged to use '20mph is plenty' stickers as lower speed limits dominate roads

The council explained that a further 10 zones are still awaiting implementation, which, when complete, will bring the overall total to 285.

The council began rolling out lower speed limits in 2022, collaborating with parish and town councils throughout Oxfordshire to introduce restrictions in areas where local authorities have requested them.

To commemorate this achievement, the authority has teamed up with the national campaign organisation 20's Plenty for Us to distribute complimentary wheelie bin stickers to residents who wish to show their backing for reduced speeds in their neighbourhoods.

Households across Oxfordshire can now request these free stickers through the 20's Plenty for Us website, with each address eligible to receive as many as 10 stickers.

The initiative aims to spread awareness that 20mph should be the standard speed in residential streets, with the stickers designed to catch the attention of passing motorists on collection days.

20's Plenty for Us operates as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that provides support and guidance to local communities and councils seeking to establish lower speed limits.

Close to 30 million people across the UK now reside in areas that have committed to implementing 20mph restrictions.

Councillor Andrew Gant, the council's Cabinet Member for Transport Management, described the achievement as "an incredible landmark" and expressed gratitude to local authorities across the county.

"I want to thank all the parish and town councils who have been in touch with us, asking to make their residential streets safer and more pleasant places," he said.

The councillor encouraged residents to display their support publicly by affixing the stickers to their bins to help encourage lower speeds.

Councillor Gant said: "Residents can now visibly demonstrate their support by putting these stickers on their wheelie bins, to remind drivers that 20mph should be the norm in areas where people live.

"You are seven times more likely to survive if you are hit by a car driving at 20mph than if you are hit at 30mph."

The transport cabinet member also linked the initiative to the council's broader road safety strategy, known as Vision Zero.

He highlighted that Oxfordshire aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from road traffic collisions by 2050.

The Vision Zero approach has gained traction nationally, with experts highlighting the importance of "survivable speeds" in achieving the goal of zero road fatalities.

The 20mph programme in Oxfordshire was established four years ago, with the council working alongside local parish and town councils to introduce speed reductions where communities have specifically requested them.

The UN General Assembly has endorsed such speed restrictions in locations where people and motor traffic mix.

Wales introduced a national default 20mph limit for residential roads in September 2023, while Scotland announced plans to implement 20mph on all appropriate roads by 2025.