Data shows that the number of casualties on 20mph and 30mph roads in Wales fell by 25% in the 18 months after the nation’s default 20mph speed limit was introduced.
In September 2023, Wales became the first UK nation to lower its default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph.
The data, highlighted by 20’s Plenty for Us, shows there were 2,638 casualties on 20/30mph roads in the 18 months post introduction, compared to 3,520 in the same period beforehand.
This represents a reduction of 25%, compared to a 2% fall on 40mph roads across the same periods (3,247 vs 3,302).
All four police forces in Wales saw casualty reductions. In North Wales, where 94% of roads changed from 30mph to 20mph, casualties fell by 46%.
Adrian Berendt, director of 20’s Plenty for Us, said: “As well as making Welsh communities safer, with over 1,000 fewer casualties, 20mph is benefitting drivers in lower insurance costs.
“We congratulate politicians, local authority representatives and community leaders who called for and implemented 20mph as an urban/village norm.
“We thank Welsh drivers who have altered their behaviour to make their communities even better places to be.”
Statistics published in January 2025 showed the first year of Wales’ default 20mph speed limit saw around 100 fewer people killed or seriously injured on 20mph and 30mph roads.
Impressive result just by changing signs.
Imagine what would happen with serious speed limit enforcement.
Paul Luton, Teddington
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