Drivers attack plan to expand 20mph speed limit law changes on roads across the UK

Wales became the first country in the UK to make the switch to lower speed limits on roads often found in residential areas, which can be identified by the presence of street lights.

Around one-fifth of the public claim the speed limits are too slow, with many concerned about journeys taking longer.

WATCH NOW: 'Mr Loophole' Nick Freeman on 20mph speed limit roads

A further 15 per cent said too few drivers would stick to the new limits, making them largely redundant.

Drivers in Wales could be hit with fines in December when enforcement of the new speed limits is introduced.

GoSafe and Welsh police forces will only start to prosecute drivers if they drive at 26mph in a 20mph limit area, with reviews expected to continue to see if the scheme is working.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, commented on the data, saying a nationwide scheme would be largely unpopular with British drivers.

He said: “It’s fair to say that there is relatively limited enthusiasm for wider use of 20mph across the UK, as well as some scepticism that many drivers would respect the new limit even if it was introduced.

“The move appears to have been quite divisive in Wales and it looks as though it would be similarly controversial if applied in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“It’s perhaps noteworthy that four per cent of people we surveyed admitted that they wouldn’t stick to the limit themselves.”

The research, from the Startline November Used Car Tracker, found that almost a quarter of people believe the new speed limits would help to save lives on the road.

Paul Burgess highlighted how the Welsh Government’s approach to the speed limits has been based around the safety benefits the scheme could bring.

He added that lower speed limits in urban areas are proven to save lives, as backed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA).

A study found that there was a 2.5 per cent chance of being fatally injured when hit by a car at 20mph, compared to a 20 per cent chance at 30mph.

The expert continued, saying: “A sizeable minority of those we questioned definitely agree with that approach.

“It’ll be interesting to see what happens in Wales over the next few years, whether the 20mph limit becomes something that motorists accept as part of everyday driving or if it continues to remain a subject of debate that has some political potency.”

The Welsh Government’s law change has not been without criticism from drivers, with a staggering 465,300 signatures for a petition calling for the new laws to be scrapped.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Self-driving vehicle law changes may cause chaos and give motorists a 'false sense of security'
• King's Speech rules could see some vehicles taken off the road to protect other drivers
  
• New MOT test rule changes rolled out could see millions of drivers impacted
  

The creator of the petition, Mark Baker, said he would keep the petition open until March 13, 2024, to get a full view of how many people back his cause.

However, the Government said that the choice to keep the petition open means a Senedd debate would not happen until the petition has concluded.