Wales 20mph: 2nd Anniversary

On the 2nd anniversary of the 20mph default in Wales, collision data is now available for the first 18 months. This shows that 882 (or 25%) fewer people were hurt in road crashes on 20/30mph roads, with an expected 1,000 fewer casualties in the first two years.

Over those 18 months, 14 people have not been killed on Welsh roads because of 20mph speed management and 98 will have avoided a hospital visit for a serious injury.

• The reduction in casualties of 25% on 20/30mph roads is twelve times the decrease on roads with higher speed limits.
• The positive impact of 20mph in Wales is more than a statistical ‘blip’. Compared with the pre-20mph year of 2022-23, casualties are down in every quarter.
• All four police forces saw casualty reductions. In North Wales, where 94% of roads changed from 30mph to 20mph, casualties fell by 46%.
• Motor insurers are reporting lower vehicle damage claims after implementation. Esure has reported a 20% relative reduction in car claims in Wales since the nationwide limit was introduced.