20 MPH Limits - what's your thoughts ?

[fossyant]

From 17th September, all 30 mph Welsh roads will become 20 mph limits. Some English authorities have similar schemes. Whilst this is very welcome from a road safety point of view, what are your thoughts ?

One point I noticed from a trip we did to Cardigan last year from North Wales was that progress for the last 30-40 miles was very slow, as most of the villages along the coastal route had 20mph limits already - it took a lot longer than I'd estimated for those last few miles - ah we'll be there in an hour, nope it was two.

My other worry is we, as cyclists, will be mixing it a bit more in traffic, not talking about busy routes, or during the commute for which we are in the traffic or passing, but we'll be catching cars up more and generally mixing it on more open roads (assuming they stick to the speed limit).

I certainly welcome it though.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

We've got a few round here, I quite like them, they calm things down a bit.

 

[ianrauk]

Anything that slows down motorised vehicles is all good in my book.

 

[Sterlo]

I've no issues with 20mph zones in certain areas, schools, busy built up areas, etc., but to change them ALL is going too far.

 

[fossyant]

We've a road outside the local school that's a 20, with speed bumps. Let's say no-one sticks to it, given the scrape marks on the humps.

 

[vickster]

Maybe not but hopefully it means they drive between 20 & 30 rather than between 30 & 40 (or more) as happens in 30 zones

 

[fossyant]

Should be a good earner for the Welsh Police force - they are quite strict about speed limits as it is.

 

[Alex321]

Maybe not but hopefully it means they drive between 20 & 30 rather than between 30 & 40 (or more) as happens in 30 zones

According to the consultation documents for the change coming in wales, the current average speed in free flowing traffic in 30 limits is 31mph. They expect this to change to 25mph with the introduction of the 20 limits.

We already have quite a few around here and in Cardiff.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Not a universal panacea but a very welcome step along the way to equitable use of public space.

 

[oldwheels]

Can be good in most places but they have to be policed. There is a 20mph limit on the street which runs in front of my house and some other streets near here.
It appears most seem to read it upside down and 50 is nearer the norm in some cases.
Nobody has ever been prosecuted for exceeding 20mph here so far as I know.

 

[Threevok]

To be honest, nobody takes any notice of the 30mph on the road outside my house.

In fact, they don't even take any notice of the 3-way temp traffic lights, that Dwr Cymru (in their infinite wisdom) have parked here till November (at the earliest).

It’s a good idea, but I doubt if 20 will make a difference

 

[ianrauk]

Can be good in most places but they have to be policed. There is a 20mph limit on the street which runs in front of my house and some other streets near here.
It appears most seem to read it upside down and 50 is nearer the norm in some cases.
Nobody has ever been prosecuted for exceeding 20mph here so far as I know.

And that's the rub.
Until the Police start getting heavy handed with fines for breaking the limit, people will ignore.

 

[Threevok]

I did chuckle at some of the comments from people on the news, when interviewed about it, especially the people concerned that they would be overtaken by cyclists.

Most will probably need extra counselling sessions for their SDS

 

[vickster]

According to the consultation documents for the change coming in wales, the current average speed in free flowing traffic in 30 limits is 31mph. They expect this to change to 25mph with the introduction of the 20 limits.

We already have quite a few around here and in Cardiff.

Certainly not the case in 30 limits around here when there's no traffic

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Evidence shows that unenforced 20mph limits show a modest reduction in average speed, typically of the order of 2mph.

There is a bigger reduction in higher speeds.

Not a panacea but worthwhile.

See for instance Scottish Borders

https://scottishborders.moderngov.c...20mph%20report%20Council%20-%20Dec%202021.pdf