Cutting the speed limit in residential areas to 20 miles per hour would save 13,000 children from death or serious injury, government advisors have claimed

The Health Development Agency used a report released on Thursday to call on local authorities to create "safe zones" by using traffic calming measures.

A spokeswoman for the DfT told ePolitix.com: "Since 1999 local authorities have had the power to introduce 20mph speed limits where appropriate.

"In residential areas slower speed limits can reduce casualties among pedestrians, cyclists and children. It is for local authorities to decide where a 20mph speed limit is beneficial."

Forum Response: Health Development Agency

Paul Streets, chief executive of the Health Development Agency said: "It's shocking that in 21st century England, children are more likely to die because of the social class they are born into.

"The difference in road injury rates between poor and rich children is a stark and unacceptable example of health inequality. It's a fact that our health doesn't just depend on choices we make - there are a host of issues outside of our control that can affect our health and even how long we live.

"However, there is a chance to control many road injuries - the safety of the roads must be prioritised to protect our children, and particularly children from disadvantaged households. We know what works - it's time to use that knowledge and save young lives."

Professor Mike Kelly, director of research and information at the Health Development Agency, said: "As well as putting 20mph speed restrictions into place, there needs to be a firm resolve to enforce these measures.

"Drivers all too often ignore restrictions by driving too fast - but they should remember that at 20mph, 1 in 20 child pedestrians are killed but at 40mph this rises to 17 in 20.

"Schemes such as those implemented in Hull have been hugely successful in reducing car speeds and reducing road deaths and injuries - over 300 accidents have been prevented in the city since the 20 mph zone implementation. Roads have been car-focussed for too long, it's time for a balance that improves safety for the whole community."

Forum Response: Vauxhall

A spokeswoman for Vauxhall told ePolitix.com: "Vauxhall Motors were interested to hear about the Health Development Agency's proposal to cut the speed limit on residential roads to 20mph.

"We seek to encourage measures, which would help to reduce the number of road traffic accidents and enable drivers to take caution behind the wheel.

"Vauxhall is proud to have fitted many injury-saving and accident avoiding features to its products.

"In 2001, head restraints were fitted to all models, including vans, to reduce the risk of whiplash during road traffic accidents. More recently, Vauxhall have developed the Adaptive Forward Lighting System, which are currently available on the new Signum and Meriva. The headlights allow the driver to effectively see round corners due to their ability to rotate 90°.

"In addition, 2000 saw Vauxhall collaborating with the AA to produce 'Twenty Top Tips For Long Distance Drivers', which was endorsed by the Government's 'THINK! Road Safety' campaign."