Local Authorities To Decide On 20mph Speed Limits
Local authorities are set to be given the power to decide on whether to implement 20mph speed limits within their districts, the Transport Secretary has said.
It follows Wales welcoming in a new policy that saw speed limits in built-up areas reduce from 30mph to 20mph last year.
Since then, it’s been a hot topic and there’s been a lot of talk around whether England, Scotland and Northern Ireland might follow the lead of Wales.
The move hasn’t been universally popular, though, with many viewing it as being overbearing and causing issues for motorists…
But now, the government has confirmed that the decision over whether to implement it or not won’t rest with Westminster but be devolved to each individual council.
What Does The 20mph Speed Limit Mean For Drivers?
The 20mph speed limit replaces any 30mph speed limits in residential and ‘restricted’ roads.
In essence, that means any roads that have lampposts every 200 yards or less, which includes most residential and built-up areas.
It’s a major change that has already happened in Wales but means that laws on the road may differ depending on what city or region of the UK you’re in.
Anyone caught exceeding the 20mph speed limit could face a £100 fine and three points on their licence, just as they would for exceeding a 30mph limit.
Interestingly, figures released by the government on road casualties found that road deaths and serious injuries caused by driver speed increased by 10% last year, which has prompted more discussion over whether to make the change.
How Do Drivers And Fleets Feel About A 20mph Speed Limit?
The reception in Wales has been mixed, with some drivers and residents welcoming the news in a bid to improve road safety, while others have bemoaned the decision as over the top.
The reality is that for drivers and fleets, it could add time to regular routes and journeys, although given that it’s only an issue in residential areas, the impact shouldn’t be across the board.
As for the conversation around road safety and the safety of pedestrians and those who live in the residential areas where the speed limit would be affected, it’s being mooted as a potential solution to the rising road death figures.
It took a long time for the Welsh Government to finally give the move the green light after a lot of consultations and a thorough process involving road safety groups, motorists, politicians and experts.
And as the rest of the UK gets ready to make their own decisions on a local authority basis, the impact on road safety should become apparent in the coming months and years.
What do you think of the change to the speed limit to 20mph in built-up areas in Wales? Would you support a similar change in the rest of the UK? Do you think local authorities should be allowed to make the decision or should it be across the board? Let us know in the comments below.
