When you think you're not speeding on Welsh roads
Drivers in Wales have been urged to check their sat navs and smartphone apps amid concerns thousands are unintentionally breaking the law. Speeding fines jumped significantly last year and out-of-date speed data is thought be one reason for the trend.
Analysis by MoneySuperMarket has shown that in North Wales alone, speeding offences rose from 62,742 in 2023 to 97,088 in 2024. Many of these were on newly designated 20mph routes.
While the 20mph law has been in place since September 2023, the comparison website said many factory-fitted car systems rely on SD cards or unpatched software that do not automatically update with the new speed limits.
Older versions of popular navigation apps on smartphones, like Google Maps and Waze, also may not have fully incorporated the new speed limits, increasing the risk of accidental speeding and fines.
It's left many drivers worried they may be penalised for unknowingly speeding. Megan, a 34-year-old marketing executive from Stamford, Lincolnshire, found herself unsure of the right limits when visiting family in Wales.
She said: 'On a recent trip to see family in Pembrokeshire in Wales, I relied heavily on apps like Google Maps to not only get me there, but also to get me around. I quickly noticed that the speed limits shown on the app didn't always match the road signs, and in a few smaller towns and villages, some speed signs had even been tampered with, leaving me even more confused.
'It left me feeling quite unsure about what the actual speed limit was as I was driving through. I'm concerned I may have unintentionally gone over the limit whilst driving around, especially because I'm so used to trusting the map apps.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
Another challenge facing visitors to Wales is the lack of 20mph repeater signs in urban areas. This is because roads with street lights were automatically designated 20mph, so signs are considered unnecessary. Often, visitors believe the lack of signage indicates a 30mph zone, as in many urban areas across the border – though 20mph is becoming increasingly common in England too.
One motorist caught out was Martin Toms, 74, a tourist from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He was visiting North Wales when he was snapped doing 31mph in a 20mph zone on the A548 at Greenfield. It was the retired salesman's first ticket, having been driving since the aged of 17.
Mr Toms thought he was in a 30mph area due to the lack of built-up surroundings. He was shocked to receive a fine a week later and he reluctantly forked out £95 for a three-hour speed awareness course. Adding insult to injury, the road is tipped to soon revert to a 30mph limit after a review by Flintshire Council.
Megan said Wales' 20mph law made for an uncertain driving experience. She said: 'Even though the new 20mph limits have been in place for a while now, it's so easy to slip up when you're used to driving 30mph in most towns and villages in England.
'As I'm not used to the lower speed limits when driving around day to day, it was more of a challenge than I thought, especially when the technology doesn't keep up with local changes.'
MoneySuperMarket has provided some tips to avoid speeding fines. These include updating your car's in-built sat nav regularly, especially if it uses an SD card. Smart phone navigation apps like Google Maps and Waz should also be refreshed to make sure they're running the latest version with accurate speed data.
At the end of the day, motorists should always follow road signs – these reflects the legal limit, not devices, said the company. This is particularly important as some roads in Wales are reverting to 30mph.
Alicia Hempsted, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: 'Many drivers place complete trust in their sat navs or apps, unaware that these tools may be showing outdated speed limits. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
'But even if it's accidental, you can still be fined for speeding. Drivers who get a speeding conviction on a public road could see their annual premium increase by up to £179. Therefore, keeping your tech updated is essential, and if in doubt, always follow what the road signs say over your phone or sat nav.'
Updating your system is not always as difficult as it sounds. Most in-car systems require removing their SD card or USB, and plugging them into a computer – updates can then be downloaded from the manufacturer's website.
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