Welsh Road Death Statistics Show 20mph Policy Ineffective

Conservative Senedd member for the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend Andrew RT Davies has repeated his calls for Plaid Cymru’s 20mph policy to be scrapped, after data showed deaths on Welsh roads have increased.

Mr Davies said the statistics proved the policy, which made 20mph the default speed limit on all restricted roads in Wales, was not improving road safety.

A total of 91 people will killed on Welsh roads last year – representing a 9% increase on 2024.

An assessment carried out before the 20mph policy was implemented found it could cost the Welsh economy up to £9 billion.

Mr Davies said this would take money from the NHS, potentially putting lives at risk.

Mr Davies said:

“Plaid Cymru separatists voted for the 20mph policy; despite knowing it would cost the Welsh economy up to £9 billion.

“With deaths up on Welsh roads while the policy has been in force, its road safety benefits are in serious doubt.

“Plaid must scrap the 20mph policy and fund our NHS.”

I’ve not spoken to one motorist who agrees with the Labour, helped by Plaid with their push for 20mph speed limits. Motorists understand and agree to 20mph around schools, hospital, care homes but that really covers it. But the results of Labour’s 20mph speed limits push hasn’t reduced road deaths, they have actually increased, with the number of casualties at its highest level since before the pandemic. With a total of 91 people killed on Welsh roads last year which represented a 9% increase on 2024.

Goodness knows if an assessment carried out before the 20mph policy was implemented found it could cost the Welsh economy up to £9 billion is correct but that figure is horrifying.