Car drivers in Wales will be allowed to drive up to 26mph in 20mph zones before being prosecuted – in a change of rules from the rest of the country. Fines, point penalties and possible license loss are the new punishments that will come into place from today if motorists exceed the new speed limits on Welsh roads in residential areas.
However, motorists will have an extra bit of leeway as GoSafe Wales, the road safety partnership which brings together local authorities and the police, have said the enforcement threshold would start at 10 percent of the speed limit – plus an extra 4mph. This means prosecution starts at 26mph in a 20mph limit, The Telegraph reports, so drivers will be able to ‘break’ the speed limit by a whopping 6mph.
Other road users in Britain are subject to a 10 percent plus 2mph threshold – meaning a 20mph zone sees rule breakers prosecuted at 23mph. Guidelines in Britain indicate those caught driving above 31mph in a 20mph zone could face magistrates and a seven to 28-day disqualification and fine. Nevertheless, Go Safe Wales said magistrates would only deal with those going at 40mph or over in 20mph zones.
The Welsh Conservative minister for finance said it would be “easy to lose a license in a day” due to “unclear and inconsistent signage” and “20mph being the default limit [in residential areas]”. But critics of his have pointed out though that the revelation makes motorists less likely to be caught, the rest of Britain, including in Conservative-run areas, also has a leeway zone – but it is much less.
Road safety charity Brake explained that a vehicle going at 25mph would not be able to stop in time to avoid a child running into the road three car lengths in front – the impact of which would be the same as the child falling from an upstairs window.
Since the introduction of the new speed limit for residential areas in September, Welsh drivers have been treated to a bedding in period where those breaking the rules were not prosecuted. However, that period ends today, and those speeding could be fined £100 for initial offences, while picking up three penalty points.
The Welsh Government says the limit will save lives, improve air pollution and improve the physical health of the nation as more people feel safe to walk and cycle. Ministers say the £34m cost will subsequently be offset by savings to the NHS.
Many UK areas have reduced speed limits in residential areas to 20mph in recent years, including Tory-run Cornwall, and Labour-run Greater London.
