Major change for drivers breaking 20mph speed limit announced

Yahoo

3 days ago

Since the 20mph default speed limit was introduced in Wales, drivers caught exceeding it have been offered an alternative to points or a awareness course.
There has been an enforcement operation running, called Operation Ugain, which saw drivers caught being offered a roadside course rather than facing points, a fine, or having to take a lengthier, costlier course.
Operation Ugain was funded by Welsh Government, run by Wales' four police forces, three fire services, 22 councils and speed cameras body GoSafe. Read here about how journey times are increasing in Wales as a result of the 20mph limit.
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The teams were deployed in January, 2024, and ran until March this year.
But GoSafe has now said the scheme has ended, meaning the opt out of fine or a course no longer exists.
During the time it was running, stats show 371,315 vehicles were monitored, with 16,679 found to be exceeding the speed limit, meaning an average 96% of vehicles were compliant.
In terms of how those drivers' offences were resolved, 99.2% of them were given an engagement session and 129 were prosecuted.
The 20mph default law came into force in September, 2023, despite significant opposition and a petition with hundreds of thousands of names. New data shows it has made journey times longer in Wales, but resulted in a fall in average speeds.
In January, 2024, WalesOnline joined in a session to see how Operation Ugain worked.
At that point, two police officers were joined by a PCSO outside Abergavenny fire station. Using speed guns, they monitored speeds, and anyone pulled over was asked if they wanted to attend a course inside. It lasted 10 minutes. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter.
They were shown a presentation about the damage speeding drivers could do and were able to leave without any fine or further action.
GoSafe's role is to reduce casualties on Welsh roads, and it works with all Welsh councils, as well as the NHS and fire services. It said enforcement would continue but the Operation Ugain element had now finished.
A spokesman said: "GoSafe use the '4E' method to improve road safety; engineering, education, engagement, and enforcement. Enforcement is always the last option and is considered where the risk to people is highest. We'll continue to use these methods to reduce the number of people killed or injured on Welsh roads."
The minimum penalty for speeding in Wales is a fixed penalty fine of £100 and three points added to your licence. Receiving 12 or more points within three years may disqualify you from driving.
If you're a newly qualified driver and receive six points during the first two years after passing your test, your licence will automatically be cancelled (revoked).
To get it back you'll need to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical tests again.
If caught by a speed camera you will be notified within 14 days.
As the driver, depending on the speed and your eligibility, once you've responded to the notice you'll be sent:
an option for a speed awareness course, which costs but will not result in penalty points
a fixed penalty notice
or a letter telling you to go to court
Police officers can also stop you for speeding. If that happens, they can give you a verbal warning, send you a fixed penalty notice, offer a speed awareness course or order you to go to court – you'll receive a letter explaining what to do.
GoSafe has enforcement cameras located at sites across Wales. The locations of those is based on collision data, risk of injury and or community concerns and we enforce across all speed limits; including 20mph limits.