Nearly 7000 drivers were caught speeding in 20mph zones across south and mid-Wales during November new data has revealed.
Wales became one of the first countries in the world, and the first nation in the UK, to lower the default national speed limit on residential roads from 30mph to 20mph last September.
The Welsh Government said the change in speed limit was introduced to reduce collisions, save lives and reduce injuries.
The move was met with backlash from residents, with more than 460,000 people signing a petition in opposition to the new 20mph speed limit.
Wales became one of the first countries in the world to lower the default national speed limit on residential roads from 30mph to 20mph in September 2023. (Image: Ben Birchall/PA) The Welsh Government then announced earlier this year it was making a U-turn on the 20mph decision and would allow local authorities to reinstate the original 30mph speed limit on roads where they saw fit.
In July 2024, it issued “revised guidance” to highway authorities to help them assess on which roads the speed limit could be raised back to 30mph.
Local authorities have been gathering feedback from their communities and will review the responses alongside the new guidance before making a decision on which roads will revert back to 30mph.
Nearly 7000 drivers in South Wales caught speeding in 20mph zones during November
Off the back of the new speed limit, GoSafe – a partnership made up of authorities including the Welsh Government and Wales emergency services – releases 20mph Offence Data each month.
This data reveals how many drivers have been caught speeding in 20mph areas across south and mid-Wales as well as North Wales.
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In November 6,933 people were caught speeding in 20mph zones in south and mid-Wales.
The average offence speed was 28.2mph. While the highest offence speed was 70mph.
Speed cameras in South Wales monitoring 20mph speed limit
A number of 20mph “enforcement sites” have been set up across south Wales (and the rest of Wales) by GoSafe where mobile and fixed speed cameras will be in place to ensure motorists are keeping to the new speed limit.
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Sites where the 20mph speed limit will be enforced are based on where there has been evidence of road safety risk.
GoSafe considers enforcement where communities have raised concerns, collisions have occurred, or in areas where vulnerable road users and vehicles mix for example, near schools.
For more information on the 20mph speed limit, how it’s enforced or to see the location of all the speed cameras active across Wales, visit the GoSafe website (a link to which can be found above).