20mph speed limits across Wales have helped roads become safer, according to new research, despite heavy criticism from motorists and the Conservatives.
New data from the Welsh Government found that between April and June 2024, both collisions (24 per cent) and casualties on 20mph and 30mph roads (combined) have fallen by almost a quarter compared to the same time the previous year.
The data shows that there were 245 accidents involving serious injuries across Wales between April and June, while there were also 21 deaths following road traffic incidents.
In total, 185 accidents involving serious injuries took place on country roads, while 60 were on trunk roads. 14 of the deaths were on country roads, while seven were on trunk roads.
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The Welsh Conservatives have continually slammed the 20mph speed limit rulesGETTYThis is a dramatic reduction compared to 2023, when there were 98 deaths and 1,028 serious injuries, with similar figures also being seen in 2022.
It follows the first year of default 20mph speed limits in action across the nation, which saw all restricted roads have their limits slashed to slower speeds.
The move was met with severe backlash from drivers who said it would lead to more congestion, while road safety experts praised the move for cutting the number of accidents.
Reacting to the latest data, Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said it provided "encouraging signs" that collisions and casualties were at the lowest on record outside of the Covid pandemic.
He added: "We recognise there is still a way to go, we’ve always said it will take many years before we see any significant impact, but these figures are beginning to show a positive trend towards making our roads safer for everyone.
"Local Authorities are currently reviewing the feedback from their citizens and assessing it against our revised guidance to make sure they have the right speeds on the right roads, with road safety being at the heart of any decision made."
Research released by the GoSafe road safety partnership earlier this month reported that 13,500 people committed speeding offences on 20mph roads in September.
It found that the average offence speed in Mid and South Wales was 28.4mph, while North Wales saw an average speed of 28.6mph.
However, this did represent a decrease in the number of offences caught compared to the month prior. In August, there were 15,284 offences recorded across the nation.
Responding to the latest 20mph statistics in Wales, Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, said: "Whilst these figures seem encouraging, any claims of the success of 20mph speed limit are still premature.
"With accidents and deaths increasing from earlier this year, questions must be asked about whether the 20mph policy is truly making a difference where it matters most.
"The Welsh Conservatives have always supported 20mph outside sensitive areas. Yet, Labour’s rollout and refusal to listen to the Welsh public has slowed Wales down unnecessarily."
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The 20mph speed limit rules sparked protests across WalesGETTYThe Welsh Tories have consistently maintained that the party would remove the default 20mph speed limit laws in favour of a targeted approach with the help of locals.
This would likely see the speed limits targeted in areas outside schools, care homes, hospitals, nurseries and playgrounds.
