Warning over rule change to hated 20mph speed limits that could see MORE drivers fined in plans branded ‘utter madness’
WELSH drivers have been warned of a change to the hated 20mph speed limit that could see even more fines.
Plans to slash the threshold for drivers being fined on 20mph roads have been branded “utter madness” as the Welsh Labour Government continues to develop the controversial policy.
Motorists across Wales are still getting used to the 20mph speed limits on restricted roads as the Government works with local authorities to make necessary changes.
Following the heavily criticised rollout, Labour announced it would look to amend the policy so it was more focused on roads that actually need it – instead of it being a blanket measure.
To that end, the standard threshold for drivers to be slapped with a speeding fine is 10 per cent plus two miles per hour.
This was changed to four miles per hour for the new 20mph roads, as requested by GoSafe, who called on chief police officers to be more lenient on drivers as they adjust to the nationwide proposal.
This means that if a driver is caught speeding at 24mph in the 20mph zone, they will not be fined.
However, a penalty charge notice could be issued if they’re caught at 26mph.
But reports now suggest changes could be introduced to amend this threshold and could see drivers fined if they’re travelling at 24mph.
According to Wales Online, chief police officers are set to review the policy in March.
The former leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central, said: “Dropping this threshold would be utter madness.
“The 20mph policy is crackers enough without implementing a low threshold which is hard to match at low speeds.
“Labour’s failed 20mph experiment should be dropped.”
In 2024, 48,203 offences were recorded in Mid and South Wales, while 36,710 were given out in North Wales.
In total, 84,913 offences were recorded across the country.
Average offence speeds peaked in April for Mid and South Wales at 30.4mph, while North Wales saw the average offence speed peak at 32.7mph in May.
Throughout 2024, the GoSafe road safety partnership revealed that 13,443 engagement sessions had taken place in which the Welsh Fire and Rescue Services delivered a 10-minute presentation about the speed limit changes.
A spokesperson for GoSafe said: “While the public get used to the change in default limit, chief police officers have allowed us to increase this to 10 per cent plus 4mph in 20mph only, meaning we start to prosecute at 26mph in a 20mph limit.
“This allows us to concentrate on offences more significantly over the speed limit.
“The increased enforcement threshold is scheduled to be reviewed by Chief Officers in March 2025, however, they will continue to monitor it and may review it before this date. Any change will be communicated in advance through official sources.”