Wales could be lowering its speed limits to 20mph
(Picture: PA)In a drastic bid to make roads in Wales safer, the nation is set to lower speed limits in built-up areas from 30mph to 20mph in 2023.
Though the proposed new law is being voted on in Parliament on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, it was already being rolled out in certain areas on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.
Cardiff Council tweeted: “Speed limits in Llandaff North, Whitchurch & Tongwynlais, Rhiwbina & Heath have been lowered to 20mph ahead of the Welsh Government’s national roll-out. Lowering the default speed limit to 20mph saves lives.”
The move has angered many, who have complained about trial areas where the slower speed limit has been in place, claiming it causes more congestion and extended journey times.
Here’s why the law may be introduced and how it could help with safety.
Why is the speed limit in Wales being lowered to 20mph and how will it improve safety?
Recently police data has revealed that the majority of people hurt in collisions in Wales happened on 30mph roads, with over 40% of these incidents leading to someone being seriously injured or killed.
While many regions across the UK have 20mph speed limits on residential roads, this new law – if passed – will lead to a blanket rollout of the figure being lowered on all restricted roads.
If or when the law is passed in Wales, rollout will come into force in September 2023, with Scotland potentially following suit in 2025.
A graphic, shared by Cardiff Council, showed that 95% of people hit by cars driving at 20mph survived the collision, with 5% resulting in a fatality. However, just 55% of people survive collisions when hit by a car going at 30mph, while 45% of these events end in fatalities.
Dr Sarah Jones, consultant in environmental public health at Public Health Wales, told ITV News: "Travelling at 20 mph has been shown to reduce the risk of crashing and the severity of crashes that do still happen.”
Meanwhile, Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We know that 20mph zones reduce speed of traffic, reduce accidents - particularly accidents to children.”
How much will it cost to make the speed limit changes in Wales?
The speed limit law is set to cost an estimated £33 million to put in place around Wales. However, it’s believed that this will be offset by £58 million saved from reduced usage of emergency services and hospital admissions over the course of 30 years.
Pilot changes were already brought in around Wales, in areas such as Cardiff North, St Dogmaels in Pembrokeshire, Llanelli North in Carmarthenshire and St Brides Major in the Vale of Glamorgan and Buckley in Flintshire.
Wales’ deputy minister for climate change, Lee Waters said: “The evidence is clear, decreasing speeds not only reduces accidents and saves lives, but helps improve people’s quality of life - making our streets and communities a safer and more welcoming place for cyclists and pedestrians, whilst helping reduce our environmental impact.
The Welsh Government also published its Public Attitude Survey results, which showed four in five Welsh adults (80%) saying they would support a speed limit of 20 mph in the area they live, compared to one in five (20%) who would not.
