MP backs 20mph speed limit following boy’s fatal hit-and-run

A Member of Parliament has endorsed proposals for a 20mph speed restriction on a thoroughfare where a 12-year-old boy died in a hit-and-run incident. Keaton Slater sustained fatal injuries in June when a BMW struck him on Radford Road, Coventry, as he was returning home from school. Louise and Clint Slater, Keaton’s parents, along with Taiwo Owatemi, the MP for Coventry North West, have initiated a petition pressing the city council to enhance road safety measures on the street. The Labour Party Member of Parliament stated that the proposed speed restriction, combined with additional traffic calming interventions like a pedestrian crossing, possesses the potential to prevent fatalities. Owatemi commented: “It’s a difficult time [for Keaton’s family], because Christmas brings memories and this will be the first without Keaton.” She further stated that their priority is ensuring no family experiences what they are enduring this Christmas. She cited statistics from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, indicating that the likelihood of a fatal collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle traveling at 20mph is merely 2.5%. According to Owatemi, this figure contrasts with a 20% probability for vehicles operating at 30mph. When questioned regarding some objections to the 20mph restriction, she responded: “I’m a car driver myself, but for me it’s important that anyone driving on the road is aware and driving safely.” She added that this approach serves the best interests of everyone’s wellbeing. For updates, follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.