Introducing default 20mph speed limits...

[mab01uk]

"Wales will be one of the first countries in the world, and the first nation in the UK, to introduce legislation to have a default 20mph speed limit on roads where cars mix with pedestrians and cyclists."
We are introducing a default 20mph speed limit on restricted roads across Wales, from 17 September 2023:-
https://www.gov.wales/introducing-defau ... eed-limits

[tweedy998]

We'll be back to a chap walking in front of one's 'motor carriage' with a red flag again at this rate.

[AndyPen]

This blanket approach is really disappointing, just hope common sense works at a local level.

This was the public perspective, though it is down to 8 per cent in agreement now.

Multiple votes either way may be skewing this though.

20mph speed survey.png

[MiNiKiN]

Here in the City of Graz we have had a general speed limit of 19mph (30 kph) across the entire city, except main roads where there is still a 30mph limit. We have had this for 20 years now - the resistance on introduction was of course huge.
But: No one has yet died because of this 19mph limit, the quality of living in the respective residential areas has dramatically improved along with less accidents and effects of such. Less drivers bypass the mainroads via the side roads, which further improves quality and safety in these areas.
My two penn'orth

[Polarsilver]

maybe my age but can agree with these 20mph limits but only in " built up" areas .. Oxfordshire CC seem to like to impose them .. what i object to is new 50mph limits now imposed on what were national speed designated 60mph Roads with nothing but countryside around ..seems that in UK today we become a dictatorial state & just accept these political driven policys .. yet maybe it will safe the world

[snoopy64]

Oxon CC have now discovered the 20 sign having used up all the 50s they could buy… even villages with the most savage speed bumps now seem to need a 20 limit as well!!

[mk1]

It's the way things are going. TBH, I'm not sure if it will be good or bad, but I really can't get that worked up either way.

The thing that does strike me though is that it is rare for me to travel into any city now, it's not because of ULEZ zones or speed limits, not even the lack of, or exorbitant price of parking, it's the fact that there aren't any shops in City centres now. Just bars, clubs, takeaways & charity shops.

[Pete]

Its funny when I did the Olympia thing in London earlier this year I had to constantly remind myself of the 20mph limit all across the centre of London when I did actually traverse it, something that’s quite tricky to achieve if you’re not used to it at 20 mph or below. That said, the average speed of traffic across London is supposed to be about 7 mph isn’t it so maybe not even achievable on some days!

We used the tube for the most part which actually took us on a massive detour due to work on the line but still fairly effective, though I couldn't ever describe as an enjoyable experience!

Introducing a similar speed restriction anywhere else other than congested inner city areas seems like folly.

[mab01uk]

Many of the outer London boroughs now have 20 mph roads by default including main roads but if you do obey the 20 limit because you are not a local and don't know where the cameras are hidden, you constantly get frustrated local car/van drivers and motorcyclists/scooters sitting on your rear bumper trying to speed you up to 30+ or doing a do or die overtaking manoeuvre to get past!
Meanwhile in all the residential side roads where 20mph is a good idea there are no cameras or traffic Police to enforce the limit anyway, so no one takes any notice of it.....

[InnoCooperExport]

Here in the City of Graz we have had a general speed limit of 19mph (30 kph) across the entire city, except main roads where there is still a 30mph limit. We have had this for 20 years now - the resistance on introduction was of course huge.
But: No one has yet died because of this 19mph limit, the quality of living in the respective residential areas has dramatically improved along with less accidents and effects of such. Less drivers bypass the mainroads via the side roads, which further improves quality and safety in these areas.
My two penn'orth

I was going to say, in the rest of Europe around 20 mph is the standard around town...