Most drivers in Wales overwhelmingly oppose the 20mph speed limit, as revealed in a recent survey conducted by YouGov. The poll found that seven out of ten people in Wales are against the default 20mph speed limit, with four in ten drivers admitting to regularly breaking it. This stance comes after the implementation of the new speed limit in September last year, which saw most roads previously at 30mph reduced to 20mph.
The Welsh Labour government, supported by Plaid Cymru, introduced the policy in 2022 with the aim of reducing collisions, noise, and promoting alternative modes of transport. Despite recent data indicating a decrease in casualties on 20mph and 30mph roads in Wales, the survey highlighted the publics disapproval of the new limit, with 72% opposing it, including half strongly against it.
According to the poll, 40% of Welsh drivers confessed to exceeding the 20mph limit most or all the time, while another 33% admitted to occasionally going over the speed limit. Only 6% of drivers claimed to never breach the 20mph limit. A Welsh Government spokesperson defended the policy by stating its main objective is to save lives and reduce road casualties, noting the positive impact of the policy on road collision figures.
In response to the survey, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, Natasha Asghar MS, expressed concern over the widespread opposition to the 20mph policy and its potential economic impact. The Welsh Conservatives have pledged to scrap the 20mph limit, implement targeted speed restrictions, reverse Labours road building ban, and steer Wales towards a more favourable direction.
While the Welsh Government remains committed to refining the policy to ensure appropriate speed limits, public sentiment continues to question the effectiveness and necessity of the 20mph speed limit across Wales. Despite differing views, the ongoing debate underscores the importance of road safety initiatives and the need for effective transportation policies that align with public opinion and safety objectives.