Claim: There has been an increase in the number of fatalities on Welsh roads since the introduction of the 20mph default speed limit
Recent reports claim there has been an increase in the number of fatalities on Welsh roads since the introduction of the default 20mph speed limit. This claim is misleading without additional context. The figure quoted refers to all roads across Wales and not just 20mph roads.
Statistics show that on 20mph roads there were 19 fatalities in 2025, and the same number in 2024. So, numbers of fatalities on 20mph roads in Wales has stayed the same not increased.
And the number of casualties on 20mph and 30mph roads combined are 23% lower since the introduction of the default 20mph speed limit.
In 2025, 91 people were killed in collisions on all types of roads in Wales, compared with 84 in 2024 and 96 in 2022, the year before the 20mph default speed limit was introduced.
On the collision and casualties front, the latest police recorded road collisions and casualties (Stats19) figures show that in 2026 Q1, there were 305 road collisions on roads with 20 and 30mph speed limits (combined) resulting in 379 road casualties
The number of casualties on 20 and 30mph roads (combined) is 10% lower than the same quarter in 2025 (421). It is 26% lower than the same quarter in 2023 (510) which was the last quarter 1 period before the change in default speed limit.
Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and road safety remains a priority for this government.