Lawyer Nick Freeman, also known as ‘Mr Loophole’, has outlined a little-known “tolerance” in the Welsh system that “contradicts” its 20mph default policy.
The 20mph default speed limit on Welsh roads was introduced to little fanfare, with over 464,000 people opposing the measure in a petition.
Speaking to GB News’ Tom Harwood earlier in the month, he said that while the views of petitioners are taken “very seriously”, the system is “settling very well”.
Nick Freeman has outlined a little known 'tolerance' in Welsh 20mph zones
PA / GB NEWS
According to Freeman, the policy is undermined by a “tolerance” in place that means drivers won’t be prosecuted “until they reach 27mph”.
Speaking on GB News, he said: “As a general rule, they allow a tolerance zone of 10 per cent plus two.
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“That means if you’re travelling on a motorway, you won’t be prosecuted until you reach 80mph.
“In Wales, they’re given an extra 4mph as a tolerance zone. So in fact, in these 20mph limits, you will not be prosecuted unless you travel at 27mph.
“This does beg the question, what is the point?”
Freeman added that the Welsh Government should be willing to “make the law count” by enforcing it to its full extent.
Mark Drakeford grilled by Tom Harwood over Wales anti-car measures“It makes no sense”, he said.
“If you’re going to introduce it into law, make it count. You have to walk the walk, you don’t just say ‘this is what we’re going to do’ and then find a way of increasing it to 30mph.”
Speed camera operates GoSafe announced in September that a 10 per cent leeway is in force plus 4mph despite the hated ‘go slow’ laws being rolled out across Wales.
The Labour-led Welsh Government introduced the measure in a bid to clamp down on deaths, casualties and pollution.
Wales became the first UK nation to impose the measure in a move that was met by backlash, laid bare by protests in places like Cardiff.
Drakeford admitted to Harwood on GB News that the devolved government continues to keep matters under review, and certain roads could have speed limits amended.
“It’s important to review things”, he said.
“We need to give it a few months to be sure how the patterns of travel are settling in.
“It’s local authorities who decide the exemptions to the policy and we’ve asked them again to review that to make sure that the right decisions are made.”
