00:00 Most roads with a 30mph speed limit in Wales will be changing to 20mph.
00:06 This is the biggest step change in community safety for a generation.
00:11 It will save lives, prevent injuries and encourage more people to walk and cycle.
00:17 It will make our streets safer for all road users, including car drivers.
00:23 As is often the case with debates in the Senate, the party is disagree.
00:27 The debate over the new 20mph speed limit is more than we're used to, with basically
00:31 zero wiggle room between the parties.
00:33 The Welsh Government say it's an inherent good and believe the change will be positive
00:37 for the people of Wales.
00:38 And the Tories in the opposition believe it's a horrible policy which is too expensive and
00:43 has too much of an impact over people's lives.
00:45 Much of the public discussion is split, with some in favour saying it will save lives,
00:49 reduce emissions and lead to safer cities and towns across the country.
00:53 There is a very emboldened group who are staunchly against the move, seeing it as over-regulation
00:58 over people's lives.
00:59 Whichever side you're on, you can be sure there are plenty of people who disagree with
01:03 you.
01:04 Being struck by a moving car is the biggest cause of serious injury in children.
01:10 Public Health Wales estimates that we can expect to see a 40% reduction in collisions,
01:16 six to ten lives saved every year and somewhere between 1,200 and 2,000 people annually avoiding
01:24 injury in Wales once we've moved to 20mph.
01:30 Safety is at the heart of this decision, with Labour Ministers believing it will save lives
01:33 and the NHS in Wales up to around £100m a year through less road collisions.
01:38 Spain has made a similar decision in the last few years and the Welsh Government say what
01:41 they've done has significantly helped roads in the country.
01:45 President Daja Ashkar, the Tories' shadow Transport Minister, is possibly the policy's
01:49 biggest opponent.
01:50 And according to her figures, Spain has seen an increase in road accidents this year compared
01:55 to last year.
01:56 This government likes to refer to Spain a lot and make comparisons to the results that
02:00 they've seen due to lower speed limits.
02:03 Well I'd really like to hear the Deputy Minister's thoughts on the news that Spain closed 2022
02:09 with substantially more road deaths than in 2021.
02:13 The whole change is an absolute minefield.
02:15 Foreign examples are meaningless as their driving behaviour is totally different.
02:19 Expected savings or costs also seem basically meaningless as this policy is brand new so
02:24 those estimates are based on no evidence.
02:26 On a real terms level, changing the speed limit should mean less people die in car accidents
02:31 but in the same vein, it's all new and drivers may need some getting used to.
02:36 As a driver, I find driving at 20mph feels slower.
02:41 But just as lots of people didn't like wearing a seatbelt at first, people adjust.
02:46 However it all goes moving forward, people will be hoping the policy works and slower
02:50 cars does mean less accidents.
02:52 The good news is that the Welsh Labour government have promised to keep the change under constant
02:56 review.
02:57 So if it works, then it works.
02:59 If it doesn't, we may see more changes again in the future.
03:02 James Peach Watkins, Local TV.
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