Conservative transport bosses at county hall have pledged to make 20mh speed limits a reality in all residential areas and outside all schools in Lancashire by the end of 2013.
£9 million has been earmarked to take the initiative forward. County Councillor Tim Ashton said "Reducing the number of people killed and injured on our roads is one of our key priorities. This is a radical log-term plan that will change behaviour and save lives. We want speeding in residential areas to become as socially unacceptable as drink driving."
The 20mph limits would apply mainly to residential areas, leaving commuter routes, trunk and main roads largely unaffected.
Local Conservative councillor Adrian Owens has warmly welcomed the move. He said, "In 2008, when I was Parliamentary candidate, I presented a 600 strong petition to the county council from West Lancashire residents calling for 20mph limits outside schools. I'm delighted that the strength of feeling shown locally, combined with continued representations has registered with the Conservative administration that took control in 2009. This move will save lives while keeping traffic moving on key arterial routes."