When the 20mph speed limit prosecution threshold could change in Wales

A Go Safe speed camera van
-Credit: (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)


After the introduction of the controversial 20mph default limit in Wales measures were taken to avoid an immediate ticketing blitz. This included an educational rather than enforcement approach for the first six months.

The other measure was an increased speeding threshold before drivers were prosecuted. For other speed limits the threshold is 10% plus 2mph.

But on 20mph roads this was increased to 10% plus 4mph. It followed a request from Go Safe to Chief Police Officers and meant enforcement started at 26mph.

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Despite the higher limit the number of offences on 20mph roads has rocketed in recent months as enforcement was stepped up. Now that threshold is scheduled to be reviewed by Chief Police Officers - made up of policing chiefs from the various forces - in March next year.

This could see it reduced to 24mph - which may result in a further increase in enforcement penalties. The police chiefs will also continue to monitor it and could review earlier if they believed it was necessary.

A separate review is currently underway that is expected to see an increase in the number of exception roads in Wales that will return to 30mph. Councils are assessing responses from the public on where the limit should change back.

By the March review by chief officers most of those speed limit changes should be completed.

A Go Safe spokesperson said: "We apply the NPCC guidelines which outline the enforcement thresholds of not less than 10% plus 2mph. While the public get used to the change in default limit, Chief Police Officers have allowed us to increase this to 10% plus 4mph in 20mph only, meaning we start to prosecute at 26mph in a 20mph limit.

"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."

Go Safe added that they are currently working closely with their partners in Local Authorities across Wales to ensure that "we avoid establishing enforcement sites on roads that are likely to be reviewed".

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