20mph in Wales

Pedestrians and cyclists also have to play their part if we are to avoid accidents. We got taught how to cross the road at school, but they don't now ie. don't walk out into the road between parked cars, look both ways and listen for traffic too, don't just step out onto a zebra crossing without checking for traffic first, make sure that just because the green man shows on a pelican crossing, you still have to make sure there's no oncoming traffic who aren't stopping (idiot drivers), some cyclists speed about like there aren't any rules, ride through red traffic lights, no indication. We all have to play our part with regard to road safety.

Whitewavemark2 - I am very sorry to hear that, it's tragic. My 17 year old nephew was killed on his motorbike, riding along a clear road when a car suddenly reversed out of his drive straight into him, killing him instantly. You never get over it. It wasn't speed but negligent driving that caused it.

I live in Canada, but here some of our larger cities have begun to adopt a speed limit of 40 km/h (as opposed to the previous 50 km/h or 30 mph). From what I understand, this has been shown to reduce the frequency of accidents, or at the least, severe injuries. We have an organization here called Vision Zero - their vision is for zero accidents involving death or serious injury on the roads. I think the decrease in speed limits was in part due to their advocacy.

The 20 mph works well in my area 👏👏

Casdon

Are you not experiencing the annual March road repair madness round your area? Mid Wales is traffic cone central at the moment as they rush to get work done before the new financial year - it’s always bad in March, but this year I’d swear every road maintenance company available is out there.

So that's where they all are!

I think they must be, I passed nine sets of roadworks in twenty miles the other day.

We have been wondering where they'd all gone 😀

Some potholes have been hastily filled but are very roughly done.

It is hard keeping to 20 mph especially as some roads have varying speed limits in a short space , it is NOT all roads and the we have some roads that there is one speed on one side with a different speed on the opposite side of the road! A lot of the roads they have made are not anywhere near schools. The Local councils were made by the Sennedd in Cardiff to have a quota of Roads that were 20mph.

62Granny

It is hard keeping to 20 mph especially as some roads have varying speed limits in a short space , it is NOT all roads and the we have some roads that there is one speed on one side with a different speed on the opposite side of the road! A lot of the roads they have made are not anywhere near schools. The Local councils were made by the Sennedd in Cardiff to have a quota of Roads that were 20mph.

So it’s not just Scotland that has bizarre roads with two different speed limits on the same stretch! How on earth does that work??

The only benefit of the 20mph speed limit in Caerphilly is that you are going at a good speed to zigzag round the hundreds of potholes.

Go there often…and I agree with you LadyGracie. Round the Pic especially. Lots of family there.

LadyGracie

The only benefit of the 20mph speed limit in Caerphilly is that you are going at a good speed to zigzag round the hundreds of potholes.

Not just Caerphilly!!

My local Welsh town has 20mph limit throughout. Not just past schools but all roads in the town.
I am fine with it.
The only challenge is that it is hilly and it is quite hard to stay within the limit when going downhill ... you have to drive on the brakes.

Luckygirl3

My local Welsh town has 20mph limit throughout. Not just past schools but all roads in the town.
I am fine with it.
The only challenge is that it is hilly and it is quite hard to stay within the limit when going downhill ... you have to drive on the brakes.

And not all cars have cruise control; some of those that do can't be set at 20mph, it's too low.

I think this area (Caerphilly) has more than its fair share of potholes, we went to Garndolbenmaen in North Wales in September, hardly a pothole to be seen. North of Brecon the roads improve tremendously.
It’s a lovely place JamesandJon but needs some tlc.

We’ve got the longest road infrastructure in Wales in Powys, but because it’s largely rural the amount of traffic here is lower LadyGracie so the roads get the weather effects, but not the same heavy use as in built up areas. Sadly it’s not because we get more funding for road infrastructure, but in fairness to them, the council has prioritised keeping the roads reasonably well repaired, particularly at the moment.

It's been 20mph here in our bit of Birmingham for quite a while. Unfortunately most people ignore it.

Whitewavemark2

A lot of roads, particularly suburb roads are 20mph around here.

I don’t know what the fuss is about quite honestly.

And if you were on an actual 20mph road the cyclist could not legally have overtaken you if you were travelling at 20 mph.

Sorry you're totally wrong about this.

In the UK, cyclists are not legally restricted by the same 20mph speed limits as motor vehicles. Statutory speed limits apply only to motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, meaning bicycles are technically exempt on public roads. However, cyclists can be prosecuted for dangerous or inconsiderate cycling.
Slater and Gordon Lawyers UK

Cyclists don't carry identification number plates, how would a speed camera record them and then track them down?

In my part of London the red route is 20 mph (that's the main road with no stopping permitted, to keep traffic moving) but the side road to places like the hospital are 30 mph. Make it make sense.

Sorry you're totally wrong about this.

Yes.

It has been publicised here as we do get a lot of cyclists round here and they did not seem to be restricted like cars!

www.royalparks.org.uk/get-in-touch/media-centre/news-press-releases/regents-park-statement-royal-parks

The Incident referred to in the above link : Brian Fitzgerald, a cyclist with the Muswell Hill Peloton club, was riding at approximately 25-29mph in a 20mph zone in Regent's Park when he collided with Mrs. Griffiths, who was crossing the road, resulting in her death 59 days later.
Legal Outcome: The Metropolitan Police Service closed the case, stating there was no evidence of criminal acts, as the 20mph speed limit did not legally apply to cyclists.
Legislation Limitations: The investigation highlighted that current UK road laws (Road Traffic Act) did not allow for charges of speeding or death by dangerous driving against cyclists, leaving few avenues for prosecution under older, harder-to-apply legislation (e.g., wanton and furious riding).
Coroner Inquest: A coroner recorded the death as an accidental collision, reported the PressReader.

but this year I’d swear every road maintenance company available is out there.

No, you've claimed them all! We should have got in there first. Or Gloucestershire (it's shocking there too).

Apparently, the County Council strive to keep the roads in good condition. Must strive harder.

Several 20mph areas in our city in Scotland. It’s fine. leave a few minutes earlier 🤷‍♀️

I hit a 20mph zone as soon as I leave my Close. This is because it is a fairly narrow lane in a conservation area with a Primary school. It makes sense to me and I take childish delight in strictly observing the speed limit when I have an impatient driver right up my back bumper.

It seems that it isn't just Wales that have this 20mph limit then and most are ok with it. We only have it around schools here, that's why I found it so odd when I heard on the radio that it's on most of Wales's roads. 30mph works well for me, whilst being aware of my surroundings and the sense when to slow down, so I hope it stays that way 🤞.

We're about to get it in Gloucestershire too