Drivers outraged as Wales reveals roads with highest 20mph offences
- Over 62,500 speed offences recorded in Wales from January to October.
- Two roads accounted for a significant portion of 20mph offences, with over 8,000 caught on the A4102.
- Public calls for better signage and safety measures as confusion over speed limits persists.
In Wales, significant concerns have emerged regarding the enforcement of the 20mph speed limit on specific roads, notably the A4102 Swansea Road at Gellideg in Merthyr Tydfil. This road, which serves as a vital link between the A465 Heads of the Valleys road and the A470, has seen more than 8,000 drivers caught violating the speed limit within just 10 months. This shocking statistic highlights broader issues regarding road safety and compliance with speed limits in areas that have undergone significant changes in traffic management policies. The data stems from a series of freedom of information requests initiated by BBC Wales, which gathered information from road safety partnership GoSafe and various Welsh police forces. The findings reveal that nearly 62,500 offences have been recorded at 97 different enforcement locations in Wales from January to October. Among these, two significant roads accounted for a large proportion of speed offences, with the A5104 at Pontybodkin near Penyffordd in Flintshire closely following the A4102, where around 7,200 motorists were caught exceeding the 20mph limit. This situation raises questions about the adequacy of road signage and public awareness regarding the lower speed limits, particularly in areas that previously operated under different speed regulations. Local residents have expressed shock over the number of offences, citing lack of proper signage and a growing number of vehicles on the roads due to diversions and bypass routes introduced for local roadworks. Another aspect gaining attention is the initial data indicating a reduction in serious road casualties since the implementation of the new 20mph policy, although experts caution that it is still too early to determine whether this reflects a long-term trend or a temporary fluctuation. The combination of enforcement data and residents' perspectives suggests that a multifaceted approach, including improved signage and public education about speed limits, may be essential to enhance compliance and further improve road safety in these areas.