We’re “adapting well” to 20mph limit

Our local police force has claimed that we are “adapting well” to the new 20mph speed limits that have been introduced across Wales.

Despite a wave of resistance to the Welsh Government initiative to save lives last September, the initial statistics show that we have largely embraced the controversial law, even if it is still unpopular.

Dyfed-Powys Police this morning reported to us that almost 10,000 trips through Wales were monitored in January, and only 272 drivers were stopped for exceeding the 20mph threshold.

Of those, only two were prosecuted with the others opting for a free engagement session that lasts 10 minutes.

“The data from Operation Ugain sessions suggests that most drivers across Wales are adapting well to the change in default speed limit,” said a spokesperson for GoSafe, the local policing road safety arm.

“GoSafe and Welsh police continue to use an engagement focused approach to 20mph. The priority is to inform the public of the benefits that driving slower has for themselves and others.”

Operation Ugain uses speed monitoring equipment to identify people travelling over the speed limit, before police officers stop the vehicle and give the driver a choice between roadside engagement or points and a fine.

While drivers will be offered the free engagement provided by Fire and Rescue Service personnel as an alternative, they can refuse, which will then result in prosecution. It is thought the two prosecuted were speeding well above 20mph, triggering an automatic prosecution.

Operation Ugain will continue with data to be regularly published at www.gosafe.org to include total vehicles monitored, stopped, engaged with, and where drivers aren’t eligible for engagement, prosecuted.

The introduction of the new speed limits is estimated to have cost the Welsh Government over £32million, and, in Powys alone, almost £60,000 was spent on placing 12 adverts in two local newspapers. Its introduction was met by a protest petition signed by over 400,000 people.