Study: Congestion Pricing Improves Traffic Safety

According to new research, London's congestion pricing program has improved traffic safety both in the cordoned city center and in the free adjacent areas. Although traffic is moving faster, fatalities have been reduced.

2 minute read

March 15, 2015, 5:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


"Research to be presented at the Royal Economic Society’s annual conference later this month found that traffic accidents have fallen in the capital by an astonishing 40% since 2003," writes Jamie Doward of The Guardian. "The work is the first study of its kind and is likely to be examined closely by other cities that have flirted with the idea of imposing a similar charge."

According to the program's website, the daily charge is "£11.50 for driving a vehicle within the charging zone between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday," which equates to $16.96.

The crash reduction was matched by similar reductions in traffic fatalities and injuries and "extended beyond the congestion charge boundaries into adjacent areas, as fewer people drove through them to reach the centre." The improvement in traffic safety is not self-evident, as "(w)ith fewer cars on the roads in central London, motorists can go faster," notes Doward.

This could have increased the risk of accidents. However, the research team led by Professor Colin Green of the economics department at Lancaster University found that the charge has instead resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of accidents and fewer fatalities.

Bicycling Safety Impacts

There had been concerns that the charge would lead to more people cycling into central London, with a corresponding increase in accidents. The report’s authors found that this was the case initially. Accidents involving cyclists rose at a rate of roughly 1.5 per month until 2005. However, by the end of 2006 this had reversed, and cycling accidents and fatalities fell.

Doward ends the article by asking Professor Green's opinion what the research may say about the city of Manchester "which voted against introducing a charge" in December 2008.

 “Would Manchester have seen this effect? My suspicion is yes,” Green said.

Saturday, March 7, 2015 in The Guardian

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and black pavilion with visitor information in public park in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Baker Creek Pavilion: Blending Nature and Architecture in Knoxville

Knoxville’s urban wilderness planning initiative unveils the "Baker Creek Pavilion" to increase the city's access to green spaces.

1 hour ago - Dezeen

Adult holding hands of two children, all wearing winter coats, in crosswalk in New York City during holidays with trees decorated with lights in background.

Pedestrian Deaths Drop, Remain Twice as High as in 2009

Fatalities declined by 4 percent in 2024, but the U.S. is still nowhere close to ‘Vision Zero.’

3 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change