Only two prosecuted for 20mph limit

In the first month of the new 20mph default speed limit being enforced, two drivers in Wales have been prosecuted, according to official monitoring.

'Operation Ugain' is a joint initiative of the Welsh Government, Police, and Fire and Rescue Services, aimed at enforcing the new speed limit. The regulation, which came into force in September last year, saw the majority of roads in Wales that were previously set at 30mph being reduced to 20mph, although local councils have the discretion to impose exemptions if necessary.

During the month of January, 'Operation Ugain' employed speed monitoring equipment to identify drivers who were exceeding the new speed limit. Once identified, police officers would stop the vehicle and provide the driver with a choice between roadside engagement or receiving points and a fine.

Although drivers have the option to undergo a free engagement session instead of facing prosecution, they are also entitled to refuse, which would result in being prosecuted.

Across Wales, out of the 9,775 drivers monitored, only two were prosecuted, while the remaining 270 were given the engagement session. Overall, the nationwide findings indicate that the majority of drivers in Wales are adapting well to the new speed limit, with only 272 out of the 9,775 checked being stopped for exceeding the 20mph limit in the first month of enforcement.

This suggests that approximately 97% of drivers monitored across Wales were not stopped by the 'Operation Ugain' teams.

During the engagement sessions, which lasted approximately ten minutes, personnel from the Fire and Rescue Service delivered presentations to inform drivers about the change in default speed limit, the reasons behind the change, and how to identify the roads to which the new limit applies.

However, the new speed limit has faced opposition in Wales, with a petition calling for its reversal gaining over 468,000 signatures - the highest number in the history of the Senedd.

Despite this opposition, 'Operation Ugain' will continue its work in communities across Wales, and data from the engagement sessions will be regularly published on the GoSafe website.