On 17 September, Wales introduced a country-wide speed limit of 20mph on many restricted roads. These are typically residential roads or those in built-up areas. Previously,  they would have been limited to 30mph unless there were signs stating otherwise.

The move to a 20mph on many – but by no means all – restricted roads for the entire country is a first for the UK. It also makes Wales one of the few countries in the world with a 20mph limit.

Why the change?

The Welsh government stated the new speed limit will reduce the number of collisions and the injuries caused by them, encourage more people to walk or cycle, make streets safer, and more.

A recent public health study backs up the Welsh government’s collision and injury claims as well, estimating there will be 40% fewer collisions with 6 to 10 lives saved and 1,200 to 2,000 people avoiding injury.

Already delivering?

Importantly, only after a week with the new speed restriction in place, new research from transport safety specialist Agilysis reveals it could already be paying off. Data shows there has been a 2.9mph drop in speeds on surveyed roads.

The company claims its evidence demonstrates that the 20mph limit, “should provide incredible safety benefits to pedestrians and cyclists as well as an expected improvement in air quality to all residents and road users … The immediate impact on traffic speeds in Wales has been astonishing, and far greater than many would have predicted.”

Controversial move

Not everyone in Wales is happy about the change as they claim it will create congestion and is ‘anti-motorist’. This attitude is reflected by a record-breaking petition calling for the new limit to be scrapped, which has now been signed by nearly 450,000 people.

There are also plans to protest the limit by ‘going slow’ on select Welsh roads over this weekend – though only time will tell if these protests actually take place.

Highway Code change

Whatever your views on the new limit, it’s important for learners take on board the new change. The Highway Code has now been updated in both the online English and Welsh editions. The next physical copies of the code will also include the change.

We have already updated Theory Test Pro too, so you’re always practising with the very latest version of the Highway Code.

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Main image by Richard Hartley from Pixabay