By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-01-08 10:56:36 | Updated at 2025-01-09 04:44:26
18 hours ago
Plans to slash the threshold for drivers being fined on 20mph roads have been branded "utter madness" as the Welsh Labour Government continues to develop the controversial policy.
Drivers in Wales are still dealing with lower 20mph speed limits on restricted roads across the country as the Government works with local authorities to make necessary changes.
Following a rollout which was heavily criticised by drivers and opposition politicians, Labour announced that it would look to amend the policy so it is more focused on roads that need it, rather than it being a blanket measure.
The standard threshold for drivers to be slapped with a speeding fine is 10 per cent plus two miles per hour, although this was changed to four miles per hour for 20mph roads.
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Police Chiefs could decide to slash the threshold for 20mph speed limit fines
PA
The road safety partnership GoSafe requested this change, calling on Chief Police Officers to be more lenient on drivers as they get used to the nationwide proposal.
This means that if a driver is caught speeding at 24mph, they will not be fined, but could be issued a penalty charge notice if they travel at 26mph.
However, reports now suggest that changes could be introduced to further amend this threshold, which could see drivers fined if they travel at 24mph.
According to Wales Online, Chief Police Officers are set to review the policy in March if they believe changes need to be made to crack down on speeding drivers.
Responding to the possibility of the threshold for charges for breaching 20mph dropping from 26mph to 24mph, Andrew RT Davies MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central, slammed the proposed changes.
The former Leader of the Welsh Conservatives said: "Dropping this threshold would be utter madness.
"The 20mph policy is crackers enough without implementing a low threshold which is hard to match at low speeds.
"Labour’s failed 20mph experiment should be dropped."
Over the course of 2024, 48,203 offences were recorded in Mid and South Wales, while 36,710 were given out in North Wales. In total, 84,913 offences were recorded across the country.
Average offence speeds peaked in April for Mid and South Wales at 30.4mph, while North Wales saw the average offence speed peak at a staggering 32.7mph in May.
Across 2024, the GoSafe road safety partnership revealed that 13,443 engagement sessions had taken place in which the Welsh Fire and Rescue Services deliver a 10-minute presentation about the speed limit changes.
A spokesperson for GoSafe said: "While the public get used to the change in default limit, Chief Police Officers have allowed us to increase this to 10 per cent plus 4mph in 20mph only, meaning we start to prosecute at 26mph in a 20mph limit.
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Almost 85,000 20mph offences were recorded across 2024
GETTY
"This allows us to concentrate on offences more significantly over the speed limit.
"The increased enforcement threshold is scheduled to be reviewed by Chief Officers in March 2025, however, they will continue to monitor it and may review it before this date. Any change will be communicated in advance through official sources."
