What impact would a 20mph speed limit have?
The Welsh Government has passed a law which means that on 17 September 2023, the speed limit on restricted roads in Wales will reduce from 30mph to 20mph. These are roads which have a system of street lighting and currently have an existing 30mph speed limit. It is expected that local authorities will begin implementing this change imminently, starting in March and completing in September.
Wales will be one of the first countries in the world, and the first nation in the UK, to introduce legislation to have a default 20mph speed limit on roads where cars mix with pedestrians and cyclists. A recent public health study estimated that the 20mph default speed limit could result in:
• 40% fewer collisions
• Saving 6 to 10 lives every year;
• And avoiding 1200 to 2000 people being injured every year
While this change has initially received a mixed response, in this article we are exploring the positives and negatives of such a change. In recent years, there has been a growing movement in the UK to implement 20mph speed limits in residential areas and other urban areas. These limits are designed to promote safety for vulnerable road users, reduce accidents and improve quality for life for local residents.
Some of the proposed benefits of this change include:
1. Increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists
The most obvious benefit of a 20mph speed limit is increased for pedestrians and cyclists. At lower speeds, drivers have more time to react to unexpected events and are far less likely to cause serious injury or death in the event of an accident. According to statistics, a pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 20mph is five times less likely to be killed than one hit at 30mph.
2. Improved air quality
Lower speeds mean less air pollution from vehicle exhausts, as the engines will not be working as hard. This can have a positive impact on the health of local residents. The reduction in air pollution can also benefit the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Reduced noise pollution
Cars travelling at lower speeds make less noise, which can have a positive impact on quality of life for local residents. This is particularly important in residential areas, where noise pollution can be a significant issue for those living near busy roads.
4. Improved quality of life for local residents
By reducing the speed of traffic, a 20mph speed limit can make residential areas far more pleasant places to live. Local residents are more likely to use the streets for walking and cycling, which can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing.
5. Increased economic benefits
Research has shown that lower speeds can have great economic benefits for local businesses. When people feel safer and more comfortable walking and cycling, they are more likely to stop at local shops and businesses, rather than driving to out-of-town retail parks or shopping centres.
While these positive effects are substantial, on the other hand there are some negative consequences to consider too. This includes:
1. Increased travel time
One of the main criticisms of the 20mph speed limit is that it will increase travel time for drivers. This is particularly true in areas with heavy traffic, where drivers may already experience significant delays. For those who rely on their cars for commuting purposes or travel long distances, this could be a significant inconvenience. However, journey times on roads in urban areas tend to be determined by junctions and signals, rather than the speed limit. The Welsh Government believes that reducing the speed limit to 20mph will have little or no impact on the journey times, and where there is an impact, analysis showed that most journeys would only be around 1 minute longer.
2. Increased driver frustration
Lower speeds can lead to increased frustration among drivers, particularly those who are used to travelling at higher speeds. This could result in aggressive driving behaviours, which can be dangerous to other road users.
3. Increased enforcement costs
Enforcing a 20mph speed limit can be expensive, particularly in areas with a large number of drivers. This could place a burden on local authorities and the police, who may need to invest in additional speed cameras and enforcement measures to ensure compliance.
4. Potential impact on emergency response times
In some cases, a 20mph speed limit may impact the response time of emergency services, such as ambulances and fire engines. This would be particularly prevalent in areas with heavy traffic, where slower speeds could make it difficult for emergency vehicles to reach their destination quickly.
In conclusion, while a 20mph speed limit may have many positive benefits for local residents, businesses and the environment, there are also some potential negative consequences we need to consider.
Climate change minister Julie James explains: “This latest data is already showing the benefits we can expect to see across Wales thanks to the bold move we are taking to lower the default speed limits later this year. Decisions like this can be unpopular and we know that change is never easy, however, evidence from around the world is clear – reducing speed limits save lives.”
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