In a brand-new follow-up report, we can unveil the aftermath of the unprecedented reduction of speed limits from 30mph to 20mph on roads throughout Wales. The transition to lower speed limits in September of last year has sparked a surge in debates and deliberations among policymakers, road safety advocates, and the general public. Not only has it reshaped the landscape of Welsh roads but has also spurred a fundamental re-examination of attitudes towards speed, safety, and overall road conduct.
The initial report, published on September 25th, 2023, analysed speeds on nearly 500km of roads in ten Welsh towns and cities, revealing a groundbreaking 2.9mph drop in average speeds post-implementation. The study utilised data from TomTom, collected from hundreds of thousands of journeys immediately after the speed limit change.
This latest report focuses on the three-month period post-change, covering the same roads as the initial study, employing a new methodology to estimate speed compliance and discuss potential enforcement scenarios. Agilysis examined over 7,900 road sections, to reveal these insightful findings.
Key Findings
- Analysis shows a slight bounce back in speeds compared to the one-week post-change period, however overall average speeds are down by 2.4mph compared to pre-change levels.
- There are slight variations across the ten towns and cities included in the analysis, with Bangor experiencing the most significant reduction in average speeds (-3.2mph) and Merthyr Tydfil displaying the smallest change (-1.3mph).
- Over half (52.9%) of all analysed journeys were driven above the 20mph speed limit.
- 9% of all analysed journeys were driven above the enforcement threshold of 26mph, and 5.4% of journeys were driven at speeds above the threshold for a court summons.
While there has been a slight bounce back in speeds over the first three months, compliance with the new 20mph limits is generally good. The speed enforcement measures which have just begun in January 2024 are seen as a crucial step towards achieving greater compliance across the road network. Agilysis recommends continued analysis and research, especially at target locations, to better understand the impact of enforcement on achieving lower speeds.
This groundbreaking research highlights the potential of new data sources for local authorities and police forces to enhance their understanding of vehicle speeds, aiding targeted interventions in high-risk locations. The report underscores the critical role data plays in shaping effective road safety policies and enforcement strategies.
