20mph: Average speed in Wales drops 2.4mph under new law

The analysis looked at speed data at 7,900 locations in Wales in December

Compliance with the new default 20mph speed limits on roads in Wales is "generally good".

That's according to data analysis of speeds at thousands of road points using Tom Tom data.

It found average speeds were down 2.4mph (3.9km/h) compared to speeds before the change last September.

But it found just over half of analysed journeys were above the 20mph (32km/h) limit. And 17.9% were above 26mph (42km/h) - the enforcement threshold.

The research by transport consultants Agilysis also showed which towns and cities were showing the most compliance.

• In Bangor, the average speed was 18.8mph - which was 3.2mph slower than before the new limit came into force.

• Rhyl and Prestatyn was next best at 2.8mph slower.

• Merthyr Tydfil showed the least change - an average speed of 20.9mph, only 1.3mph slower than the average recorded pre-September.

• The capital Cardiff was bang on the Welsh average of 20.3mph - slightly higher than in the week after the new law came into force but 2.2mph slower than it was before September.

Despite a slight bounce back since an initial survey after the first week the limit was implemented, the analysis found after three months, only 8.4% of miles driven were at or above the old 30mph limit.

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• Road has eight speed changes after switch to 20mph

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The 20mph default speed limit applies to 37% of the road network in Wales - although councils can apply for exemptions on stretches.

The aim is to improve road safety and cut casualties although it has proved controversial.

"The change in traffic speeds on urban roads in Wales has been dramatic following the implementation of widespread 20mph limits although speeds have increased very slightly over the first three months," said report author Richard Owen.

"Compliance is broadly good with speeds close to the limit, although there are still many journeys by drivers that involve high speeds along the route."

The report says the enforcement measures, which started this month, were a "crucial step" towards achieving greater compliance.

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