Police in Wales have started enforcing a new 20mph default speed limit in built-up areas, which came into effect in September. Some drivers claim that multiple changes to the limits in certain areas have caused confusion. However, South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael has urged drivers to use their common sense when abiding by the new limit, saying that “common sense will be applied”. Michael added that the police force wants to engage with the public rather than enforcing the law aggressively.
Welsh government minister Lee Waters, who helped introduce the law, said on Twitter that “education-led” enforcement would be used. He also added that “there’s no incentive for us to fine because the money won’t stay in Wales”. The 20mph limit is intended to reduce deaths and noise pollution and promote walking and cycling. However, a petition to scrap the new rule, which launched in September, has gained almost 470,000 signatures, becoming the most signed petition in the history of the Senedd.
Senedd Petitions Committee is due to discuss the issue for debate because the petition has received over 10,000 signatures. Conservative members in Wales have claimed the move is a “war on motorists” but have stated that they do support 20mph limits outside schools, hospitals, and care homes. The two Welsh Labour leadership candidates have also said they would review the law if elected.
Michael has acknowledged that the introduction of the law has caused complications while adding that it is essential to review its implementation. He also said that previous road safety measures, like seatbelt laws, faced controversy when they were first introduced. “Every law that’s been brought in order to improve safety on the roads – whether you go back to motorcycle helmets, whether you look at seatbelts – has had a degree of controversy at the beginning, before people get used to it,”, he added
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