Fewer Crashes but More Tickets as Wales Adapts to 20mph Limit

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New data reveals notable changes in driving speeds on Wales’ 20mph roads nearly a year and a half after the speed limit was lowered from 30mph. The default 20mph limit was introduced across most former 30mph roads in Wales in September 2023. Transport for Wales has been monitoring speeds at 43 locations across 10 regions since summer 2023, recording around seven million vehicle journeys during each monitoring period.

Before the limit change, in summer 2023, only 20.8% of drivers traveled at or below 24mph, while approximately 37% exceeded 30mph, with 10.4% reaching speeds of 35mph or higher. The weighted average speed at that time was 28.7mph. Subsequent monitoring in winter 2023/24, summer 2024, and winter 2024/25 shows a shift in driver behavior.

The latest figures from January 2025 reveal that 54% of drivers now travel at or below 24mph, marking a 33% increase from summer 2023. Only 15.2% of drivers exceed 30mph, with 3.9% hitting 35mph or above, a significant drop from previous data. The average speed has decreased to 24.9mph, about 4mph slower than before the limit change.

These results demonstrate a clear reduction in speeds since the new limit was introduced, although the current average is slightly higher than the winter 2024 figure of 24.4mph. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents highlights that the risk of a pedestrian being fatally struck at 20mph is 1.5%, compared to 8% at 30mph. Despite debate over the limit, it has contributed to fewer collisions, fatalities, and injuries on Welsh roads.

Police data shows around 100 fewer people were killed or seriously injured on roads with 20mph and 30mph limits in the year after the change compared to the previous year. However, speeding fines have increased sharply, with 62,742 drivers caught speeding in north Wales in 2023, rising to 97,088 in 2024. The biggest rise in offences occurred on newly designated 20mph roads, where speeding tickets nearly doubled from just over 25,000 in 2023 to almost 57,000 in 2024.

Currently, drivers are prosecuted if caught traveling at 26mph or above. Concerns have also been voiced about the economic impact as average travel times have lengthened. In response, local authorities are reviewing the limits and introducing more ‘exception’ roads where the speed limit will revert to 30mph.

The rollout of the new 20mph limit cost over £32 million, and further millions are expected to be needed to implement changes for the exception roads. This ongoing adjustment reflects the balance between road safety goals and practical considerations for drivers and communities across Wales.