20mph speed limit saw drop in casualties in first year

The Welsh government switched the default speed limit on mostly urban roads on 17 September 2023, and with some exemptions most 30mph roads switched to 20.

Following a public backlash, ministers launched a review of the policy, and councils are currently looking again at which roads could be exempted.

In the third quarter of 2024 – July to September – there were 410 road casualties from road collisions on 20 and 30mph roads – three were fatalities, 90 were serious and 317 were slight casualties.

This was 35% lower than in the same quarter in 2023, the Welsh government said.

During the 12 month period from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the third of 2024, the number of casualties was 28% lower than the same period the year before.

Transport Secretary Ken Skates said: “The picture continues to be encouraging with the number of collisions on our roads at their lowest level for this quarter. We know there is a way to go and we’ve always said it will take a number of years to see the full impact of the policy but to see the figures for this quarter at their lowest level is positive.”

Lee Waters, now a backbench Labour MS who was transport minister under Mark Drakeford, said: “We can now say with confidence that in its first year the speed limit reduction represents the most successful road safety intervention in modern times.

“As we said in advance, a little bit slower but a whole lot better.”

Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport Peter Fox added: “While we welcome any decrease in road casualties, these figures don’t tell the whole story. Our concern remains the way the 20mph speed limit has been implemented.

“The Welsh Labour government’s default approach has created confusion and frustration for drivers and their current review must address these implementation issues and ensure a more sensible and effective approach.”