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Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
18 tractors fall foul of 20mph regime in North Wales and especially in one area
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info North Wales motorists faced a speeding fine blitz in April when almost 6,000 were pinged on 20mph roads Among those caught out may well have been some drivers accustomed to more sedate speeds. While the lower speed limit in built-up areas has been deeply unpopular in many circles, figures suggest it is having its intended impact. In 2024, police forces in Wales reported a total of 2,913 road collisions – the lowest annual figure ever recorded apart from 2020 during the Covid pandemic. Yet it's not just your average motorist who needs to keep a careful eye on speedometers. Even farm tractors have been caught out since Spring 2024 when enforcement was ramped up in North Wales. Freedom of Information requests from Select Car Leasing revealed that, in the the past year, 18 tractors drivers in the region were clocked breaking 20mph limits. They were dealt with by either a warning letter, speed awareness course, Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 and three points, or by further prosecution. Reaching the highest speed was a New Holland tractor doing 32mph in a 20mph zone on the A548 in Flintshire in June 2024. In the same county, a Massey Ferguson tractor hit 31mph in a 20mph section of the A5104 last October. In comparison, the fastest car driver clocked in Wales so far was travelling at 89mph. They were pinged on a 20mph road in North Wales in January 2025. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here's how to sign up Overall, recorded illegal tractor speeds in the region ranged from 26mph to 32mph. According to North Wales Police figures, the main tractor speeding blackspots were in Flintshire, on the A5119 near Flint (six pings) and the A548 Oakenholt road (four). On UK roads, most farm tractors are permitted to travel only at speeds of up to 25mph (40km/h) on public roads - though some wider tractors have lower limits still. Some tractors built to a higher spec and with improved suspension and road tyres are allowed to travel at up to 40mph. Modified tractors can go much faster: in 2019 Guy Martin set a world record when driving the JCB Fastrac Two at 135.191mph at Elvington Airfield, York. Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, said: 'Speed limits apply to all vehicles on the road, not just cars. With more agricultural tractors on UK roads during the summer months, particularly during harvest season, it's important farm workers keep a close eye on their speedometers. 'Larger farm tractors can weigh 7 tonnes, they're often pulling heavy trailers, and they're stopping distances will be longer than for a traditional car. It's paramount that those in charge of tractors abide by the speed limit in order to keep all road users safe.' The company also made FOI requests to Dyfed-Powys Police and Gwent Police but specific breakdowns were not readily accessible. However South Wales Police confirmed tractor drivers had broke 20mph speed limits in its area too. Here, two Notices of Intended Prosecution were issued to tractor drivers for 20mph offences in 2024. One was clocked at 26mph, the other at 27mph. Another tractor was even collared at 36mph earlier this year – though this was in a 30mph zone. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening on the roads near you
North Wales Live
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
18 tractors fall foul of 20mph regime in North Wales and especially in one area
North Wales motorists faced a speeding fine blitz in April when almost 6,000 were pinged on 20mph roads Among those caught out may well have been some drivers accustomed to more sedate speeds. While the lower speed limit in built-up areas has been deeply unpopular in many circles, figures suggest it is having its intended impact. In 2024, police forces in Wales reported a total of 2,913 road collisions – the lowest annual figure ever recorded apart from 2020 during the Covid pandemic. Yet it's not just your average motorist who needs to keep a careful eye on speedometers. Even farm tractors have been caught out since Spring 2024 when enforcement was ramped up in North Wales. Freedom of Information requests from Select Car Leasing revealed that, in the the past year, 18 tractors drivers in the region were clocked breaking 20mph limits. They were dealt with by either a warning letter, speed awareness course, Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 and three points, or by further prosecution. Reaching the highest speed was a New Holland tractor doing 32mph in a 20mph zone on the A548 in Flintshire in June 2024. In the same county, a Massey Ferguson tractor hit 31mph in a 20mph section of the A5104 last October. In comparison, the fastest car driver clocked in Wales so far was travelling at 89mph. They were pinged on a 20mph road in North Wales in January 2025. Overall, recorded illegal tractor speeds in the region ranged from 26mph to 32mph. According to North Wales Police figures, the main tractor speeding blackspots were in Flintshire, on the A5119 near Flint (six pings) and the A548 Oakenholt road (four). On UK roads, most farm tractors are permitted to travel only at speeds of up to 25mph (40km/h) on public roads - though some wider tractors have lower limits still. Some tractors built to a higher spec and with improved suspension and road tyres are allowed to travel at up to 40mph. Modified tractors can go much faster: in 2019 Guy Martin set a world record when driving the JCB Fastrac Two at 135.191mph at Elvington Airfield, York. Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, said: 'Speed limits apply to all vehicles on the road, not just cars. With more agricultural tractors on UK roads during the summer months, particularly during harvest season, it's important farm workers keep a close eye on their speedometers. 'Larger farm tractors can weigh 7 tonnes, they're often pulling heavy trailers, and they're stopping distances will be longer than for a traditional car. It's paramount that those in charge of tractors abide by the speed limit in order to keep all road users safe.' The company also made FOI requests to Dyfed-Powys Police and Gwent Police but specific breakdowns were not readily accessible. However South Wales Police confirmed tractor drivers had broke 20mph speed limits in its area too. Here, two Notices of Intended Prosecution were issued to tractor drivers for 20mph offences in 2024. One was clocked at 26mph, the other at 27mph. Another tractor was even collared at 36mph earlier this year – though this was in a 30mph zone.
