Insurance company esure has issued a press release[1] that vehicle damage claims have reduced by 20% since the nationwide 20mph speed limit was introduced in Wales in September 2023. This contrasts with England, where the company did not see a similar drop in claims.

Wales was one of the first countries in the world, and the first nation in the UK, to introduce legislation for a default 20mph speed limit. Early results from trial sites in 2022 which showed a 3mph reduction in speeds[2] were confirmed in reports on the nationwide implementation[3][4][5].

Casualties are also on a downward path on 20mph streets, according to the Welsh Government[6]. 

With mounting evidence of lower speeds on residential roads in villages and in town centres in Wales, 20’s Plenty is delighted to the safety benefit of fewer collisions now starting to show through. 

Esure’s Rob Clark, Head of Motor Underwriting, said:

“We can see a clear drop in vehicle damage claims in Wales since the 20mph speed restriction was introduced in September 2023. During a time when we usually see these claims rise, they dropped and have continued to do so in Q1 2024. The restriction is clearly having an impact, as we did not see a similar drop in claims in England in the same period.” 

20’s Plenty founder, Rod King MBE said:

“This confirms on a national scale the benefits from lower speeds not only reducing casualties and danger but also providing a benefit to drivers in reduced insurance claims. 

The reductions are both statistically significant and timely in showing the reduction in road danger from implementing 20mph limits on a national basis. We thank esure for their interest and action in identifying and demonstrating these benefits to communities and drivers. 

Statistically, some of those crashes which never happened would have resulted in death or injury for the road users involved. The national 20mph limits has already saved lives and injury. Well done Wales.” 

Press Release PDF

ENDS 

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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 where it’s demonstrably safe for vulnerable road users.
2. For more information about 20’s Plenty for Us, please visit our website https://www.20splenty.org/

For further information please email [email protected]

[1] https://www.esuregroup.com/media/muqdfwsf/esure-20mph_10_06_2024.pdf

[2] https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2023-03/Phase-1-20mph-Interim-Monitoring-Report_Final-publish-17-March.pdf

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

[4] https://agilysis.co.uk/2023/09/25/wales20/

[5] https://agilysis.co.uk/2024/01/22/wales-20mph-3months-on/

[6] https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/20mph-wales-first-crash-statistics-29302303