Wales will reduce the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in built up areas from next year.
The new slower speed limits are currently being trialled in eight communities across Wales and will be rolled out nationally in September 2023.
The new legislation will not apply a blanket speed limit on all roads, but will make the default limit 20mph, leaving local authorities to engage with the local community to decide which roads should remain at 30mph.
Currently, just 2.5 percent of Welsh roads have a speed limit of 20mph, but from next year this is expected to increase to approximately 35 percent helping to create safer roads and communities across Wales.
“The evidence is clear, decreasing speeds not only reduces accidents and saves lives, but helps improve people’s quality of life – making our streets and communities a safer and more welcoming place for cyclists and pedestrians, whilst helping reduce our environmental impact,” said Minister for Climate Change, Julie James.
“We know this move won’t be easy – it’s as much about changing hearts and minds as it is about enforcement – but over time 20mph will become the norm, just like the restrictions we’ve introduced before on carrier bag charges and organ donation.”
