Independent analysis of vehicle speeds 3 months after the implementation of 20mph speed limits in Wales
A leading consultancy in transport safety and behaviour, Agilysis, has published an update to their independent report on the impact of 20mph speed limits in Wales.
This latest report focuses on ten towns and cities in the three-month period post-change, covering the same roads as the initial study. Agilysis examined over 7,900 road sections, to reveal their findings, including:
- analysis shows a slight bounce back in speeds compared to the one-week post-change period, however overall average speeds are down by 2.4mph compared to pre-change levels
- there are slight variations across the roads in the analysis, with Bangor experiencing the most significant reduction in average speeds (-3.2mph) and Merthyr Tydfil displaying the smallest change (-1.3mph)
- over half (52.9%) of all analysed journeys were driven above the 20mph speed limit, with 9% of all analysed journeys driven above the enforcement threshold of 26mph, and 5.4% of journeys driven at speeds above the threshold for a court summons.
Agilysis adds, “The speed enforcement measures which have just begun in January 2024 are seen as a crucial step towards achieving greater compliance across the road network.
“Agilysis recommends continued analysis and research, especially at target locations, to better understand the impact of enforcement on achieving lower speeds”.
The report can be read in full here.
