Wales is set to become the first country in the UK, and one of the first in the world, to introduce a 20mph speed limit on its residential roads.

Several Welsh local authorities have already introduced the 20mph limit due to the recognised benefits and public support.

Not everyone was in support of the measures which come into force in September. The Welsh parliament had received more than 21,000 signatures petitioning against the change.  In June, the Shadow Minister for Transport and Technology had called for the “ludicrous” 20mph speed limit to be scrapped, when he joined a debate.

It seems that the UK government is not overly keen on the idea either. Ministers are reportedly considering restricting the ability of local authorities wanting to impose a 20mph speed limit.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has spoken out against “anti-motorist” policies. He is said to be also considering ways of preventing local authorities furthering green agendas by introducing measures such as bus gates.

Gary Digva, founder of Road Angel, said it was extremely concerning that the government was considering cracking down on council’s wanting to cut speed limits. He said: “Road safety should be the top priority with the high rate of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads.”

Stopping distances increase substantially between 20mph and 30mph. At 20mph it takes around 12m (40ft) to stop. When travelling at 30mph the stopping distance increases to 23m (75ft). Put another way, if a child ran into the road while you were travelling at 30mph, you’d travel at least six car lengths before you could stop.

Reducing the speed also makes it safer for the driver and passengers. Someone involved in a crash at 30mph (and not restrained) will absorb an impact equivalent to falling from a 3-story building, or being rammed by a fully grown elephant.

Diane Parker , specialist personal injury solicitor commented: “I find the position of the UK government surprising. Not least when you consider that their own data shows almost 30,000 people were killed or injured on our roads last year.

As injury solicitors, we see the true impact of road traffic accidents and deal with the people behind the injuries, not the headline statistics. 

Whether this is just political positioning remains to be seen. One thing is clear though, the fact that pedestrians have a much higher chance of survival if they are hit by a vehicle travelling at a lower speed is well documented.”