More than 100,000 people have been caught breaking Wales' 20mph speed limit
More than 100,000 drivers were caught breaking the 20mph speed limit in Wales, according to new data – with one motorist caught driving almost 70mph over the limit.
Latest data from road safety partnership GoSafe revealed 112,699 offences were committed up to March 2025 following the introduction of the new default speed limit in September 2023.
The Welsh government changed every road that had a 30mph limit to 20mph unless it was given an exemption by the local authority.
After the legislation was introduced GoSafe suspended 20mph enforcement to give people time to adjust and to allow for road signage to be updated.
Now, monthly data published by GoSafe has revealed a year's worth of driving offences.
The highest speed recorded was 89mph in January 2025 in north Wales, with several cases of 88mph recorded across the country.
But the average speed recorded was about 28mph.
The number of speeding motorists peaked in August, with 7,958 offences recorded in north Wales and 7,326 in mid and south Wales.
The figures also show the number of speeding offences was lower in March 2025, 4,950 offences recorded in north Wales and 4,128 in south and mid Wales.
The most recent figures show the highest speed recorded was 62mph in mid and south Wales, while in north Wales the highest speed was 58mph in that same month.
Drivers are subject to enforcement at 26mph or over in locations where a 20mph limit applies.
The founder of the campaign group 20's Plenty for Us, Rod King, told The Independent the figures from GoSafe were not unexpected.
He explained 88,000 speeding prosecutions occurred on 30mph roads in 2023 meaning the level of enforcement in the past year is similar to what it was previously.
He said: 'I'm not shocked at all, these are big figures but it is only 5 per cent of drivers in Wales. The majority do not have a speeding ticket.
'In the first year there was a reduction in casualties on the 20mph roads, fewer people being injured and fewer deaths.'
'There is a lower risk when everyone is driving that bit slower,' he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
13 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Newport's £6.6m investment to improve 55 city roads
The council aims to improve the city's road network over the coming year, focusing on the most vital and high-priority roads. These include Malpas Road, Newport Bridge, Lighthouse Road, Chepstow Road, and Caerleon Road. The council secured more than £4.4 million from the Welsh Government through the new highway management local government borrowing initiative. It will also allocate around £2.2 million of its own resources, including £1 million from last year's underspend, to this major road maintenance programme. This investment is in addition to the council's regular yearly budget for road repairs. Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, leader of the council, said: "We promised more investment into our road network, and I'm pleased to say we are delivering on that promise. "Councillors from every ward have been sharing residents' concerns about roads with us. "We've heard those concerns, and we get it. "This funding from Welsh government will allow us to go above and beyond what we would be able to do on our own, tackling more of our highway network's problem areas." The programme will have two elements running concurrently: full resurfacing work on the highest priority roads and surface treatments for high-priority roads to preserve the highway asset. The council proposes to work on 55 sections of road, 36 requiring full resurfacing and 19 needing surface treatments. The council will undertake further detailed design work for the programme to determine a full schedule before work starts later this summer. Residents, businesses, and visitors will be kept informed of the programme's progress through the council's website and social media channels. Acknowledging that the level of investment would not solve all issues, Mr Batrouni added: "At the same time, it is not going to solve every problem and fix every pothole, as we can only do so much with the resources we have. "It is, however, a really good programme of works which I do feel will make a big difference." The council has thanked residents and visitors in advance for their patience and understanding while it carries out these important upgrades. The full list of the roads is: Full treatment A467 - Risca Bypass A468 – Caerphilly boundary to Draethen Junction A468 Bassaleg Roundabout, near A467 A468 Caerphilly Road (part) A48 Usk Way (City Centre) (Part) B4239 Coast Road (Part) B4239 Lighthouse Road (part) B4241 Corporation Road (Cromwell Rd junction area) B4241 Fields Road (Part) B4254 Magor Rd (Part) B4591 Corporation Road (Part) Broadway - Junction with High Street Caerleon Road near St Julians Pub Chapel Road - Junction Great Newra Farm Chepstow Road - Magor Road / Tregarn Road, junction area Clifton Road including Friars Road Junction Cromwell Road (Part) Docks Way - Junction with Greenwich Road Gaer Road (Part) Heidenheim Drive (part) Hendre Farm Drive (part) Highfield Road Junction Road (part) Malpas Road (near the Shell garage) Newport Bridge - Old Green Roundabout to Rodney Road Rivermead (part) Rivermead Way - Junction with Fuchsia Way Rodney Road - near The Pod Somerton Bridge St Mellons Road - Junction Wellfield Road Stow Hill - Cathedral Area Stow Park Circle (Part) The Coldra - Junction with Llanwern Road to no 11 White Brook, Llanvaches - (Part 1) White Brook, Llanvaches - (Part 2) White Brook, Llanvaches - (Part 3) Surface treatment A48 Cardiff Road (entrance Spring Court to Coach & Horses PH) A48 Cardiff Road (junction Pound Hill to entrance Spring Court) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Bowdens Lane to junction Pen-y-Worlod Road) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Caerlicken Lane to junction Church Road) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Catsash Road to junction Langstone Court Road) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Hendrew Lane to junction Greenmeadow Lane) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Langstone Park to junction Old Langstone Court Road) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Pen-y-Worlod Road to junction Old Turnpike Road) A48 Newport Road (junction Channel View to Boundary) A48 Newport Road (southbound from junction Marshfield Road to end of dualling) B4236 New Road (from junction Bulmore Road to junction Lulworth Road) B4237 Cardiff Road (junction Cae Bryntirion Road to Belle Vue interchange) B4596 Caerleon Road (from start of 40mph zone to no.574 Caerleon Road) Goldcliff Road (from junction Goldcliff Common to Chapel Road) Meadows Road (junction Nash Road to Queensway Meadows Roundabout) Mendalgief Road (from junction Price Close to junction Lime Court) North Row (junction Green Street to entrance of North Court Farm) Usk Road, Caerleon (from junction B4236 Mill Street to access Whitehall Farm)
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Leader Live
Coleg Cambria recruitment drive for engineering team
Coleg Cambria is advertising a range of roles at its Institute of Technology, including positions in mechanical, electronic, electrical, and manufacturing engineering, as well as work-based learning. The recruitment drive comes amid a nationwide shortage of STEM educators and a push to attract industry professionals into teaching roles. Nick Tyson, vice principal for digital, engineering and construction at Coleg Cambria, said: "In today's rapidly evolving world, the need for skilled, adaptable engineers and industry professionals has never been greater, and who better to shape that future than those who've lived it?" He encouraged experienced engineers to consider a move into education. Mr Tyson said: "If you've built your career solving real-world problems, leading innovation, or managing complex systems, consider the exciting opportunity of stepping into further education. "By sharing your knowledge, you don't just teach – you inspire." The college is encouraging industry professionals to step into education (Image: Coleg Cambria) He emphasised the value of industry expertise in the classroom. Mr Tyson said: "Education is no longer just in the classroom, it's a dynamic, collaborative environment where your expertise can ignite potential, bridge industry and academia, and leave a lasting legacy. "The impact you've made in industry can multiply when you help others discover their path within it." READ MORE: Residents invited to find out about gas upgrade ahead of work this month Coleg Cambria offers support to gain teaching qualifications if not already held. The college also promotes bilingualism and welcomes applications in Welsh. For more information about the engineering positions, visit the Coleg Cambria iRecruit careers portal. Further details and updates can be found at
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Car idling outside schools putting kids 'health at risk'
Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell MS raised concerns in the Welsh Parliament, highlighting the impact of parked vehicles with running engines on air quality, particularly outside schools. Ms Jewell said: "Stationary idling is something that people do sometimes without thinking, but it is so deeply damaging to children's lungs." She called for a ban on stationary idling to be introduced before the next Senedd election. Ken Skates MS, cabinet secretary for transport, supported the call and described the behaviour as 'truly antisocial. Mr Skates said: "I just cannot comprehend why parents would leave their cars idling around not just their children but other children." Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, warned that children are especially vulnerable to emissions, despite idling already being an offence. He said: "Car idling produces up to 150 balloons of exhaust emissions per minute."
