20mph honeymoon over as police begin new enforcement
Following the introduction of a 20mph default speed limit in September 2023, GoSafe, who carry out the police’s speed checks, paused the process of considering new locations for 20mph enforcement which were 30mph prior to the legislation change.
This was decided to allow the public to get used to the change, to collate data to understand any effect the change had on road safety and compliance with the law.
They continued to enforce the 20mph sites which were 20mph prior to September, following a pause whilst it was confirmed the appropriate orders and signage were unaffected.
But with additional funding from the Welsh Government, they were able to expand their engagement activity through dedicated Operation Ugain teams. The teams monitored nearly 25,000 vehicles in their first two months, of which 97% are not exceeding 25mph.
Where speeding drivers did not wish to receive the engagement, they were prosecuted. In January and February, nine people were prosecuted.
Six months following the legislation change, GoSafe said that enforcement will now be considered in all areas where there is evidence of road safety risk. The first response to 20mph speeding concerns will still be to use Operation Ugain, but they will assess any emerging concerns in these areas from March 18.
Assistant Chief Constable Trudi Meyrick, Roads Policing Lead for Wales, said: “Introducing enforcement in new 20mph areas is the next step of our engagement-led approach. We have continued to review driver behaviour and the response to the change in default speed limit, whilst engaging with communities across Wales with Operation Ugain.
“Enforcement will be used proportionately and fairly. We’ll continue to engage with people across Wales and we’re confident that a proportionate level of enforcement can now be used to keep us moving towards achieving safer roads.”
GoSafe has enforced 20mph for several years. Whilst this begun as enforcement campaigns outside of schools, as further 20mph limits were adopted, they became part of their routine site selection in 2021, where they enforced locations where there was 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. Any requests for enforcement will be assessed using their enforcement criteria and where appropriate, enforcement sites will be established.
In addition to their site criteria, we will also be working closely with highways authorities to ensure that signage is appropriate, any Traffic Regulation Orders are correct, and that roads are not being considered as part of the 20mph exceptions review.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|