While I accept the idea of a 20mph speed limit in residential areas and in the town centre, I think some attention also needs to be paid to altering the behaviour of the pedestrian.
I travel to and from work using either the bus, my car or bicycle and occasionally I walk.
No matter what means I use, I come across the same behaviour of the pedestrian.
The majority, especially the young, are either talking in an animated fashion on their mobile phones or are plugged into their iPods.
In either case, they are totally distracted and oblivious to what is happening around them, and in both they certainly cannot hear oncoming traffic or cycle bells.
They walk in the road among moving vehicles, ignoring pedestrian crossing signals, and meander along pavements with an air of invulnerability.
The most frightening is the young mother with a toddler and baby in a buggy, gassing on her mobile while crossing the Headgate junction.
No speed limit will prevent an accident involving these people.
If it is unsafe for a motorist to be distracted by using a mobile telephone or listening to loud music in his vehicle, is it not equally so for the pedestrian while walking along the street?
Jonathan Reuben
Head Street
Colchester
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