A Week in Review: 20MPH Speed Limit in Wales
In a significant move towards prioritising safety and reducing road accidents, Wales implemented a 20MPH speed limit in many residential areas. This change, which came into effect a little over a week ago, has already generated a substantial amount of debate and discussion. A petition to discuss and rescind the 20MPH law has received just over 430,000 signatures and rising, setting a new record for most signatures received on such a petition. While the pushback on this change has been substantial so far, what can we learn from the first full week of adopting this change?
The Statistics
The Government states that they made the change to the Speed Limit in order to:
• Reduce the number of collisions and severe injuries (also reducing the impact on the NHS from treating the people who are injured)
• Encourage more people to walk and cycle in their communities
• Help to improve health and wellbeing
• Make streets safer
• Safeguard the environment for future generations
A week after the 20MPH limit was introduced, a study has revealed that most drivers in Wales have experienced journey times of around 45 and 63 seconds longer on average. The study, conducted by transport and public health data analysts at Agilysis, gives us better insight into the statistics of the change. Agilysis concluded that compliance among motorists since the implementation of the new 20MPH speed limit had been “very good”, with half of drivers sticking to the new speed limit.
Richard Owen, of Agilysis, described the results as “astonishing and far greater than would have been predicted.”
“Welsh drivers are, on the whole, accepting lower speed limits and have changed their behaviour accordingly. There will remain some drivers who choose to break the limit by significant amounts but the drop in speeds on the fastest urban roads has been marked.”
The need for change
The Welsh governments decision to reduce speed limits in residential areas reflects a growing global awareness of the importance of road safety. Speeding has been a contributor to road accidents, injuries and fatalities. By lowering the speed limit in residential areas, the government aims to create safer environments for more vulnerable road users. Lowering the speed limit allows drivers more time to react to unexpected events, such as children running into the street or unexpected obstacles.
Deputy climate change minister Lee Waters said that the Welsh government would also look into other changes in the future. “If there is an accident blackspot, rather than saying ‘let’s spend £30m over five years on a carbon intensive road scheme’, let’s just drop the speed limit. We can do that next week and it won’t cost us anything. It will save lives.”
Public Opinion
The new speed limit has received mixed reactions from residents and local communities throughout Wales. Some people are enthusiastic about the change, believing that it will make their neighbourhoods safer, however some have expressed concern about potential increased travel times and inconvenience. On the 23rd September, crowds gathered in Cardiff to protest against the 20MPH law. Banners held by those gathering also complained of other issues, such as Ultra Low Emission zones (ULEZ), Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and Clean Air Zones (CAZ).
While many believe that the new speed limit is a positive step forward, it is not without its challenges. Enforcement of the 20MPH speed limit will be crucial to its success. Additionally, continued public awareness campaigns may be needed to inform drivers of the changes and the reasoning behind it. The introduction of the 20MPH speed limit in Wales signifies a conscientious effort to enhance road safety and contribute to environmental sustainability. While the decision has been highly controversial so far, the Welsh government hopes that this change will contribute to a safer and more sustainable road environment.
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