Wales Sees Nearly 900 Fewer Road Casualties Following 20mph Speed Limit Change

Almost 900 fewer people have been injured on Welsh roads since the national default speed limit was reduced from 30mph to 20mph in September 2023, according to new data.

The policy — which cost £34 million to introduce — was one of the Welsh government’s most divisive decisions, prompting the largest petition ever submitted to the Senedd. Despite the controversy, campaign group 20’s Plenty claims the lower limit has already had a significant impact, preventing 882 injuries and 14 deaths across Wales.

Director Adrian Berendt welcomed the figures, saying the change has made communities safer while also benefiting drivers through lower insurance premiums. “We congratulate the politicians, councils, and community leaders who championed 20mph as the new standard for built-up areas,” he said. “We also thank drivers who have adapted their behaviour to help improve their neighbourhoods.”

The Welsh Government’s figures show casualties on roads with lower limits have fallen by 25%, from 3,520 incidents between April 2022 and September 2023 to 2,638 in the following 18 months. In North Wales, where 94% of eligible roads switched to 20mph, injuries dropped by 46%.

However, not everyone supports the change.

Advanced driving instructor Stuart Walker from Wrexham described the blanket limit as a “total disaster.” He argued that while some roads clearly needed lower speeds, the universal rollout had made conditions worse for drivers and learners. “No one was sticking to 20mph. Training became dangerous, and I was overtaken more than 1,200 times while teaching,” he said. Walker admitted he had considered quitting before some roads were reinstated to 30mph.

Public opinion remains mixed. In Aberystwyth, one holidaymaker described the rule as a “nuisance,” particularly on rural stretches, while resident Emma Lloyd said she eventually came to see the benefits despite her initial doubts.

The rollout also revealed widespread non-compliance. More than 112,000 speeding offences were recorded in Wales up to March 2025, with the fastest speed clocked at 89mph. According to GoSafe, the typical speed was closer to 28mph. Despite this, casualty numbers on 20–30mph roads between July and September 2024 were the lowest for any three-month period since records began in 1979.

Welsh ministers have defended the decision. Lee Waters, the minister who introduced the 20mph rule, said: “The data speaks for itself. We based this on evidence, and two years on, the results are consistent with what we expected. Average speeds are down, casualties are down, and the culture of the road is changing — though it has been a bumpy process.”

Transport Secretary Ken Skates added that while it will take several years to fully assess the impact, early signs remain encouraging. Updated guidance now allows councils to review specific roads and, where appropriate, restore 30mph limits to ensure “the right speeds on the right roads.”