The Welsh Government has received a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for its implementation of a default 20mph speed limit.
The limit was introduced in September 2023, following years of planning since the ability to set national speed limits was devolved in 2018.
Data shows there were 489 fewer casualties on 20/30mph roads for the period October 2023 to June 2024 (1,286 casualties) versus October 2022 to June 2023 (1,775 casualties).
The judging panel concluded that: “In making a national default speed limit of 20mph on restricted roads, the Welsh Government has changed the narrative in Wales about the appropriate and legal maximum vehicle speed on roads where people and motor vehicles mix. 20mph is now presumed as the limit, with local authorities allowed to set 30mph as an exception.
“Wales is one of the first countries in the world to pass a law changing the speed limit on restricted roads to 20mph.”
The award has been welcomed by 20’s Plenty for Us.
Rod King MBE, chair of 20’s Plenty for Us, said: “This recognition at global level of success of the Welsh Government’s 20mph default is hugely significant. 20mph as a norm for urban/village streets is now not only recognised as ‘global best practice’ but also effective in providing transformational change to the liveability of communities and creating people-oriented streets.
“This becomes a foundation for so many other interventions that are possible when speeds are lower. Fewer casualties across the whole population are on a scale which is unprecedented in terms of effectiveness and value for money. Well done Wales for using a default 20mph to make all Welsh places better places to be.”
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