Claim: ‘There is no evidence that the 20mph speed limit has reduced casualties‘
The Welsh Government publishes quarterly road collision data on 20mph and 30mph roads. This data includes information on which police force area collisions occurred in, available through the interactive dashboard for each release: Police recorded road collisions: interactive dashboard | GOV.WALES.
The latest quarterly figures show that in January to March 2024, road casualties on 20mph and 30mph roads (combined) were 19% lower than in the previous quarter (463) and 26% lower than in the same quarter in 2023 (510). This number has generally been declining over the last decade but is the lowest figure recorded in Wales outside the COVID-19 period.
Transport for Wales’s Default 20mph Speed Limit on Restricted Roads report shows that average speeds on main roads dropped an average of 4mph – from 28.9mph to 24.6.
The principal objective of the policy has always been to reduce casualties and help people feel safer in their communities. We will continue to monitor the long term trend but things are heading in the right direction.