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Wales becomes UK's first nation with 20mph default speed limit

A national 20mph limit will come into force in Wales from next year. A vote was held in the Senedd today (July 12) about Welsh Government plans to limit residential roads and busy pedestrian streets to 20mph which passed.

The Welsh Government say it will reduce the risk and severity of injuries as a result of collisions between vehicles and vulnerable road users; encourage more people to cycle and walk; make Wales more attractive for our communities and bring physical and mental health benefits.

There have been pilot schemes running across Wales and Senedd members voted with 39 in favour and 15 against.

In her speech about the plans, climate change minister Julie James said: "The future of our towns and cities depends on our ability to move around sustainably and on solutions that have a positive impact on public health environment and communities.

"That is why we will use the principle that walking cycling and active travel must remain the best options for short urban journeys and a 20mph default speed limit will help achieve this. The introduction of a national 20mph limit would be an important and far reaching policy. If passed Wales would be the first country in the UK to introduce the change. We're asking you all to be part of this change and make our communities understand the wider benefits of 20mph.

Well it has been passed and becomes law in September 2023 maybe the rest of the UK will follow suit so please remember when driving in Wales after September 2023 you will be booked for speeding if your driving over 20 MPH in a 20 MPH zone and lose points on your UK driving licence.

https://chng.it/jQ7MPypkgC

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Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

I don’t get it.

SW-User

@Fukfacewillie Hmm. Fewer accidents, less pollution, perhaps more cycling and walking (seeing as this limit is only for heavily urban areas). What's not to get?

Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@SW-User How can you get anywhere? Why not just outlaw cars?

SW-User

@Fukfacewillie You do realise it's not 20mph across the entire country, don't you...?

Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@SW-User In cities you can only go 20? I can’t conceive of such a thing.

SW-User

@Fukfacewillie I can't conceive of going higher than 20 in most cities, tbh cos of the queues.

Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@SW-User Then why would you need a speed limit of 20 if you can’t go over 20? This is truly baffling.

SW-User

@Fukfacewillie That sounds like a whole lot of "not my problem"

Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@SW-User I don’t know what that point means, either. How is it a problem that cars go too fast if they can’t go too fast? What is being solved? Codifying what exists? What a strange place.

SW-User

@Fukfacewillie Cutting speed limits to 20 mph on busy city roads makes perfect sense. Fewer accidents and less pollution. Where I live, one of our busiest roads has a 20 mph speed limit, and both NO2 levels and accidents are significantly lower than they were in 2019 when it was introduced.

Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@SW-User Do the Welsh not know how to drive? Why not go to 10 MPH? That will also reduce traffic accidents because people could run away from cars before they get hit?

Lol, sorry, this seems like a silly European thing to us. God Speed! But really slowwwwwly.

SW-User

@Fukfacewillie Well, you certainly don't sound like a silly European, more a silly American who is barely aware of the world around him

Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@SW-User I’ve travelled to Europe, Asia, and Africa, so nope, that’s not it. I’ve also seen a lot of Monty Python, and this 20 mph thing seems like a perfect sketch. The Pythons dressed as old ladles walking past cars and shaking their fists, “Slow Down!”

SW-User

@Fukfacewillie Yeah well, it's happening. And you still seem to believe that 20 mph will be a national speed limit. Oh well...

Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@SW-User Wrong again. You clarified it is for urban areas. Still just as silly. It would take me 4 hours to get to work. If the Welsh hate cars this much, just ban them. A limit of 20 MPH is either pointless because you said traffic is so bad no one can go over 20mph, or so restrictive as to render automobile useless.

SW-User

@Fukfacewillie Well, that's not how it's playing out in my town. By the way, how long would it take you to get to work if the speed limit was 30 mph?

Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@SW-User As I said, this doesn’t make sense to US. And if it’s playing out well in your town then that is another indication this is cultural.

It would take me 33% less time than if I was limited to 20 MPH. You guys must love your commute.

Or, do you live in little hobbit towns?

SW-User

@Fukfacewillie

Or, do you live in little hobbit towns?

Clearly you have not travelled as widely as you claim or you would know.

Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@SW-User I have and it’s clear to me this is what Wales is like and what you look like. Enjoy your non moving cars!

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Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@SW-User That comment makes perfect sense from someone who thinks a 20 mph speed limit is a good idea.

See ya, Bilbo.