Demands for more 20mph speed limits on roads across the UK with new changes planned

Wales will become the first country in the UK and one of the first in the world to make 20mph the default speed limit on restricted roads in September.

Research has found that pedestrians have a much higher chance of survival if they are hit by a car at lower speeds.

​If someone is hit by a car travelling at 30mph, they have a 20 per cent chance of death, compared to a 2.5 per cent chance when hit by a vehicle going 20mph.

Scotland is also expected to follow the lead of Wales by changing the default speed limit to 20mph on “appropriate roads” in built-up areas.

The change, which will be introduced in 2025, was put forward by the Greens in a bid to make streets safer and reduce casualties.

Data from the Government shows that almost 30,000 people were killed or injured on Britain’s roads in the year ending June 2022.

​Gary Digva, founder of Road Angel, said it was “extremely concerning” that the Government was considering cracking down on councils wanting to cut speed limits.

He added: “Road safety should be the top priority with the high rate of deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads.

“Spain saw a 20 per cent mortality rate decrease after implementing the lower speed policies, so there is substantial evidence that this will work to make our roads safer, and potentially save hundreds of lives a year.”

Rishi Sunak has hinted at cracking down on 20mph speed limits after calling for a review of low traffic neighbourhoods.

The Prime Minister also accused Labour of being “quite anti-motorist”, referencing the backlash to the Government extending the 5p freeze on fuel duty.

Mr Digva continued, saying: “Lowering the speed limit in areas where there are a lot of vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, makes sense as it reduces the risk of fatalities should there be a collision.

“Not only does lowering the speed limit reduce the force and impact of a vehicle, but it also dictates if a driver is able to stop in time to avoid a crash.

“It is disappointing to see that the PM deems life-saving policies as ‘anti-motorist’ when they are in fact anti-death and could save hundreds of lives if introduced across the whole of Britain.”

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In 2021, the World Health Organisation launched the #Love30 campaign to get Governments and local authorities around the world to adopt 30km/h and 20mph speed limits.