Many European countries have established laws supporting Home Zone schemes. These Laws allow the restriction of the speed of vehicles within the Home Zone, some countries restrict speeds to 20 mph and other have reduced speeds to 10 mph.

Many of the countries support the idea of giving legal priority to pedestrians and cyclists. In this situation, in the case of a RTA (Road Traffic Accident) within a Home Zone, it is the driver of the car who is held responsible, the burden is automatically on the driver to prove otherwise. This may be considered an infringement in justice laws, but it has produced the desired effect and drivers are being forced to think before they act. Those who do not like the legal implications avoid the area altogether, traffic drops and there are fewer accidents - everyone is happy!

Comparisons between the emphasis of Home Zones in various countries, reflected in supporting legislation, often separates British Home Zones from other European countries'.

Typically Main land European countries such as The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, have been primarily concerned with integrating traffic and residential requirements in a Woonerf (translated from the Dutch as shared space) ideal. Landscaping is used to make the whole environment more pleasant and easier on the eye, their emphasis is on style rather than functionality.

It has been said that British designs for Home Zones very much put the emphasis onto reducing accidents from RTAs and do not exploit much of the environmental enhancements inherent in the schemes. Their emphasis is on functionality rather than style.

Every country involved has been able to take the core Home Zone concept and adapt it to their own environment with broadly speaking the same results, safer streets.

Please select a flag to learn more of legal support for Home Zones in that country.