On the 2nd anniversary of the 20mph default in Wales, collision data is now available for the first 18 months[1]. This shows that 882 (or 25%) fewer people were hurt in road crashes on 20/30mph roads[2], with an expected 1,000 fewer casualties in the first two years.

Over those 18 months, 14 people have not been killed on Welsh roads because of 20mph and 98 will have avoided a hospital visit for a serious injury.

esure reduced car policy premiums for drivers in Wales at the end of 2023 with Welsh drivers seeing an average £45 benefit to their insurance premiums.

• The reduction in casualties of 25% on 20/30mph roads is twelve times the decrease on roads with higher speed limits (Fig. 1).
• The positive impact of 20mph in Wales is more than a statistical ‘blip’. Compared with the pre-20mph year of 2022-23, casualties are down in every quarter. (Fig 2).
• All four police forces saw casualty reductions. In North Wales, where 94% of roads changed from 30mph to 20mph, casualties fell by 46% (Fig. 3).
• Motor insurers are reporting lower vehicle damage claims after implementation. esure has reported a 20% relative reduction in car claims in Wales since the nationwide limit was introduced[3].

Adrian Berendt, Director, 20’s Plenty for Us commented

“As well as making Welsh communities safer, with over 1,000 fewer casualties, 20mph is benefitting drivers in lower insurance costs.

We congratulate politicians, local authority representatives and community leaders who called for and implemented 20mph as an urban/village norm.

We thank Welsh drivers who have altered their behaviour to make their communities even better places to be.”

Diolch am 20.

ENDS

----------------------

Notes to Editors

1. 20’s Plenty for Us CIC (company number 15510973) supports communities throughout the UK and internationally who want their place to be a better place to be. Its vision is for a 20mph speed limit wherever people and motor vehicles mix, with 30mph targeted where it’s evidentially safe for vulnerable road users.
2. 20’s Plenty for Us CIC is non-party political and receives no governmental funding.
3. For more information about 20’s Plenty for Us, please visit our website https://www.20splenty.org/ or email [email protected]

Fig. 1 change in casualties 20/30 mph roads vs. 40mph+ roads

Fig 2 Change in casualties by quarter on 20/30 mph roads

Fig. 3 %age change in casualties on 20/30mph roads by police force

[1] StatsWales website

[2] January to March 2025 is preliminary data

[3] https://www.20splenty.org/welsh_vehicle_damage_claims

PDF