London's speed limit is set to drop to 20mph on key routes from Monday in a bid to increase safety on dangerous roads.
The change will take force in the parts of the capital used most by pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists in an effort to drive down deaths on the capital's roads.
Mayor Sadiq Khan says cutting speed limits around the central city on Transport for London (TfL) roads will 'save lives.'
Under the new system, motorists caught speeding will face fines of up to £100 and three penalty points on their licence.
The change affects London's congestion zone and comes into force the minute after the clock strikes midnight on March 1.
The lower speed limit proposal to lower motorists' speeds to reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries won strong public support.
Speed is a factor in around 37 per cent of collisions in London where a person dies or is seriously injured, according to City Hall figures.
The new 20mph speed limits will be enforced across all TfL roads within the Congestion Charging Zone – including Millbank, Victoria Embankment and Borough High Street.
The change will also see the Metropolitan Police ramp up patrols.
From April a new speed enforcement team will target careless and illegal driving across London, a joint announcement with the Mayor and TfL today said.
Mr Khan has set a target to eliminate death and serious injury from London's transport network by 2041.
The mayor said in a statement today: “I am absolutely determined to do everything I can to eradicate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads and these new measures are a vital step along the way to helping us to achieve this.
"By cutting speed limits on TfL’s roads within the Congestion Zone we are saving lives, while at the same time making our streets more appealing for Londoners to walk and cycle around the capital.”
The change was welcomed by road safety advocates, including London Campaign Coordinator, 20’s Plenty and RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims.
Both organisations said they would like to see the speed reduction expanded to more roads in London, and today called on boroughs outside the city centre to adopt lower speed proposals.
Met Police detective superintendent Andy Cox said: “Safe speeds are key to achieving the Vision Zero ambition and it’s vital that those driving or riding on our roads respect the law on speed limits.
"We will actively target speeding and dangerous drivers and ensure they are dealt with robustly.”
Police figures from between 2016-2018 show 131 people were killed in speed-related collisions on London's streets.
A further 2,256 people were reported as seriously injured in collisions where speed was recorded as a contributory factor.
The Met says cutting speeds from 30mph to 20mph significantly reduces the likelihood and severity of these collisions, saving lives.
The force added that people walking and cycling are particularly vulnerable to speeding vehicles.
Nine pedestrians have already tragically died on London’s roads this year.
