A staggering 13,000 drivers caught breaking rules, MILLIONS more ignore it – know the law to avoid points on your license

AN INCREDIBLE 13,000 drivers were caught breaking a rule that millions of people ignore.

In a bid to improve road safety, an increasing number of low speed zones have been enforced in Wales – also considered controversial across the UK.

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In London, many roads have speed limits of 20mph.

Shadow Transport Secretary Helen Whatley said: “There is a time and a place for 20mph speed limits.

“But Labor doesn’t seem to understand that not everywhere is a city centre.

“Walking and cycling are simply not viable for the millions of trips people make every day, and punishing drivers will not change that.

“Labour’s 20mph speed limit in Wales was a disaster. People hate it and it’s often just ignored.”

FairFuel UK founder Howard Cox warned that “the most undemocratic, wasteful and ill-informed road user punitive schemes are about to explode across the UK”.

In September 2023, Wales imposed speed limits of 20mph on all restricted roads.

A year later, more than 13,000 drivers were surprised by the change.

Research by GoSafe showed the average offensive speed in Mid and South Wales was 28.4mph.

In North Wales, the average speed was around 45km/h.

The research also found that 6,480 crimes occurred in mid and south Wales, while 6,667 occurred in north Wales.

In March, a petition against the 32 km/h limit received almost half a million signatures, accumulating 469,571.

The Petitions Committee considers all petitions that obtain more than 10,000 signatures for debate.

The petition says: “The new 20mph law will come into force on September 17th and will mark the end of socialism in power in Wales.

“The Welsh Government claims it has evidence that slowing to 20mph EVERYWHERE saves lives!

“However, we have received pamphlets merely stating that this will happen, and opinions from doctors who see RTCs arriving in the emergency room.

“The only true evidence comes from Belfast and states that it makes NO DIFFERENCE to the RTCs!”

“At least one of the experimental villages in Monmouthshire reversed judgment because it was causing absolute carnage on the roads!”

In general, drivers want to see the back of these nuisance zones.

Andrew RT Davies MS, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, also supports a ban on low-speed schemes, reports GB News.

He said: “When it is finally scrapped, people will look at this policy as a huge failure.

“While drivers who completely disregard speed limits should face consequences, the average speed of the offense suggests that many drivers are confused by the new rules, which even Welsh Government ministers admit have been poorly implemented.

“The Welsh Conservatives would ditch these crazy rules and limit 20mph zones to common sense areas like outside schools and hospitals.”

Considering that September was the month with the highest number of speeding violations, this may indeed show that drivers are unaware of where speed limits operate.

The scheme was introduced in September 2023 but has been rolled out slowly to allow drivers to prepare.

Not only that, but it gave local authorities time to improve engagement on the roads rather than handing out fines.

GoSafe, Welsh Fire and Rescue Services and others have also tried to help drivers prepare for the change.

How do I find out which roads are 20mph?

If there are street lights in the area you are driving, the 20mph limit probably applies.

Signs must inform drivers of their speed if there are no street lights.

Why did the Welsh Government introduce 20mph speed limits?

• To reduce collisions and injuries on the roads.
• By reducing injuries, the pressure on the SNS should decrease.
• Encourage greener transportation methods such as walking and cycling.
• Better health and well-being.
• General safety on the streets.

Wales was actually one of the first countries in the world to turn restricted roads into 20mph zones.

However, in 2024, the public had the opportunity to say whether they approve of the changes.