Road casualties and crashes have significantly decreased on 20mph and 30mph roads in Wales, according to recent statistics. The Welsh transport minister has expressed optimism about the trend, stating that “things are moving in the right direction.”
The implementation of a default 20mph speed limit in Wales in September 2023 seems to have had a positive impact. In the nine months following the law’s introduction, collisions and casualties on these lower speed limit roads dropped by 26% and 28%, respectively. These reductions mark the largest decreases since the pandemic began.
Data from April to June showed a total of 730 police-reported collisions on all roads in Wales, a 16% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. Among these collisions, 20 were fatal, 218 were serious, and 492 were classified as “slight,” resulting in a total of 1,006 casualties.
Most roads in Wales that were previously 30mph are now designated as 20mph. The Welsh government anticipated a rise in incidents on 20mph roads and a decrease on 30mph roads following the change. However, the primary aim of the speed limit adjustment was to reduce the severity of accidents, given the lower speeds involved.
Transport minister Ken Skates acknowledged the ongoing journey towards safer roads, noting the positive trend in reduced collisions and casualties outside the pandemic period. Local authorities are currently assessing feedback to determine appropriate speed limits, prioritising road safety in their decisions.
Overall, the shift to a default 20mph speed limit appears to be making Welsh roads safer. While it may take years to fully assess the impact, early data indicates a promising direction in improving road safety for all users.