The controversial new 20mph default speed limits on Welsh roads were introduced in September 2023.
Go Safe say they had paused the process of considering new locations for 20mph enforcement which were 30mph prior to the legislation change. This was decided to allow the public to get used to the change, to collate data to understand any effect the change had on road safety and compliance with the law.
It adds that the organisation continued to enforce 20mph sites which were 20mph prior to September.
Thanks to additional Welsh Government funding, Go Safe say they have monitored nearly 25,000 vehicles in their first two months, of which 97% are not exceeding 25mph.
Where speeding drivers did not wish to receive Go Safe’s speed awareness education programme, they were prosecuted. In January and February 2024, 9 people were prosecuted.
Six months following the legislation change, Go Safe say that enforcement will now be considered in all areas where there is evidence of road safety risk.
It adds that the first response to 20mph speeding concerns will still be to use it’s Operation Ugain education programme, but it says it will assess any emerging concerns in these areas as they do in any other speed limit from 18th March 2024.
Assistant Chief Constable Trudi Meyrick, Roads Policing Lead for Wales said: “Introducing enforcement in new 20mph areas is the next step of our engagement-led approach. We have continued to review driver behaviour and the response to the change in default speed limit, whilst engaging with communities across Wales with Operation Ugain.
“Enforcement will be used proportionately and fairly. We’ll continue to engage with people across Wales and we’re confident that a proportionate level of enforcement can now be used to keep us moving towards achieving safer roads.”
Commenting ahead of full enforcement of the 20mph speed limit beginning, Natasha Asghar MS, Shadow Minister for Transport, said: “This policy, dreamed up by lycra-clad lobbyists, should never have become law.
“Despite the fact that just shy of 500,000 people have signed a petition to rescind this madcap policy and regardless of the opposition people will now start facing fines and innocent people from across Wales will be punished for simply driving.
“The damage to our economy and to people’s livelihoods should not be underplayed, and the Welsh people have soundly rejected the 20mph speed limit.
“The Welsh Conservatives would scrap this barmy policy which punishes people for trying to get safely from A to B.”
The petition calling on Welsh Government to rescind its 20mph laws has reached almost 470,000 people – the highest ever Senedd petition.
Deputy Climate Change Minister, Lee Waters – the minister responsible for the introduction of the 20mph legislation, has indicated he will be standing down from his Welsh Government transport role once the new First Minister is appointed .
