Life begins at 20, according a group campaigning on the city's speed limits. Tomorrow, there will be a day of action from people in areas where they are campaigning for a 20mph zone.

These zones started popping up around the country in 1991, the first in Norwich, Sheffield and Kingston-upon-Thames. There are now more than 450 in the UK. The idea for such zones came from the desire to cut child road accidents - and just as a reminder of this, places like Norwich have used pictures from local schoolchildren to adorn the 20mph zone signs. Effective and fun - that's what we like.

The benefits of a 20mph zone don't just apply to young people, though, and getting local authorities to agree to them is anything but child's play. The 'Life begins at 20' campaign cites several reasons for advocating more streets with these limits.

A 20mph road is quieter and safer, two things that are much appreciated in a residential setting. We all know how hard on the ears accelerating cars can be when they are going past your house.

The noise issue is really just an added bonus on top of the most important impact of these zones. These areas are safer for everyone. It's a sobering fact that the most common cause of death for children under 14 is a car crash. Slower roads make such accidents less likely.

I was appalled to see that the county council recently rejected a move to improve safety around our schools by making it compulsory to observe yellow zigzag lines, to stop irresponsible, dangerous parking and unloading around school entrances.

Perhaps calls for 20mph zones in such areas would be more effective. Does our county council care about the safety of our young people?

Cyclists benefit from 20mph zones as well - instead of buses and trucks whistling past, you almost feel safe with them going at a slower speed. I could list the many examples Oxford unfortunately has of accidents involving cyclists and vehicles, but I think this is something we are all very much aware of.

Introducing more 20mph zones would be one significant step in the right direction to reduce the frequency of these pointless accidents.

Some areas with this speed limit are referred to as home zones. This makes these areas more focused on people - roads, after all, aren't just for cars. And it is people power behind making these roads safer.

Tomorrow, there will be several Life begins at 20' events around Oxford, raising awareness of this civilised concept and hopefully going some way to convince the powers-that-be that we need more of these zones.

Look out for impromptu on-street action or add your voice to the campaign by contacting lifebeginsat20@yahoo.co.uk Have a look at its website to see loads of facts about why introducing 20mph zones makes seriously good sense and to see examples of the success of such schemes in other parts of the country.