New data shows vehicle speeds on key 20mph routes have dropped by an average of 3.8mph, but the number of drivers breaking the limit has also increased
Journey times on Welsh roads are increasing as drivers slow down under the country’s 20mph speed limit law, according to new data. Vehicle speeds on key 20mph routes have dropped by an average of 3.8mph, and compliance with the new limit has improved significantly. Wales Online readers remain to be convinced of the benefits of the law.
Figures show more than 130,000 drivers have now been caught exceeding the 20mph default speed limit. The data, covering November 2023 (two months after the law was introduced) to May 2025, shows a gradual rise in the number of drivers breaking the limit again.
A report by Transport for Wales, released this month, evaluates how the new default speed limit is performing. It notes that while speeds have fluctuated, there has been a “significant and sustained” increase in drivers travelling at or below 24mph — the benchmark for compliance.
The report found that vehicle speeds on main 20mph roads have dropped by an average of 3.8mph. Around 54% of drivers now travel at or below 24mph, up from just 20.8% before the change — a shift that is expected to reduce both the likelihood of collisions and the severity of injuries.
Average speeds have increased slightly between winter 2023/24 and winter 2024/25. Average journey times on 15 routes — measured during both morning and evening in both directions — rose in 57 out of 60 cases. However, in 44 of those, the increase was no more than two minutes. At the same time, journey time variability has reduced in 45 cases, offering more consistent travel durations.
Monitoring of vehicle and pedestrian interactions at crossings has so far produced inconclusive results. Similarly, air quality data shows no significant difference in nitrogen dioxide levels between areas with and without the 20mph limit. While it is too early to draw firm conclusions about trends in pedestrian and cyclist casualties, there has been an 11.8% drop in overall road casualties in the four quarters since the law came into effect.
Commenter Rodgerthedodger says: “I know that many don’t like the 20 limit, but I do. I see far more courtesy towards pedestrians since its introduction. It has brought a valuable reduction in the estrangement between pedestrians and drivers, so I’m all for it. I realise that when you drive north through the valleys with their ribbon development it’s tiresome, but doesn’t that just show that the WG should have built bypasses for these towns decades ago?”
Seaphin thinks: “The speed limit means prices rise as trucks take longer to deliver. it also means an increase in the amount of fuel used, so much for clean air!”
Goatman writes: “I met loads of tourists down Pembrokeshire this year that said as much as they love Pembrokeshire they will not be coming back to Wales. This government in Cardiff is either destroying the tourism industry on purpose or they are just incompetent.”
636396 points out: “I travel from Newport to S.Pembrokeshire every weekend. Virtually none of the route is 20mph, a couple of miles at most. The only bits that are 20mph in rural areas are the towns and villages, they are so small, the speed restrictions make no difference to overall travel times.”
Pontybear states: “But the roads are definitely safer and that cannot be argued.”
Blackhand18 replies: “Roads are not safer as drivers are watching the speed dial instead of the road. That definitely cannot be argued. Plus the frustration of crawling at 20mph is damaging to mental health and wellbeing.”
wizard until i die says: “Huge sections of roads in the west of England have been 20mph for years, nobody’s moaning over there. Drive to the speed limit and we’ll all be ok.”
PJ372 thinks: “Wales needs a common sense, targeted approach to appropriate speed limits, not the ludicrous mess we have now.”
Jeff2509 believes: “20mph works in that it saves lives, injury and money in return for a few extra minutes on journeys. ‘Sorry about your child’s death, Mrs Jones, but the driver wanted to save a minute on his journey.’”
Simoncorkswill retorts: “It’s suitable at certain points, but entirely unnecessary in others. All those who witter on about saving lives, may I suggest learning and teaching how to cross roads? I’ve noticed pedestrians being even more careless since it’s introduction thinking they no longer really have to bother looking at all.”
Has the 20mph speed limit in Wales significantly affected travel times and road safety? Share your views in our comments section.