00:00When the Welsh Government introduced a default 20 mph speed limit two years ago, it sparked
00:07one of the most controversial political rows in recent memory. A record breaking Senedd
00:11petition saw almost half a million people call for the decision to be scrapped. But
00:17despite the controversy, collision data covering the first 18 months has now been revealed
00:21and it suggests the lower limit has saved lives.
00:25In Group 20's Plenty say figures show 882 fewer people were hurt on 20 and 30 mph roads
00:31with a reduction of 25%. Experts estimate by the end of year 2 the change will have prevented
00:37around 1000 casualties.
00:40The figures estimate 14 people who might otherwise have died are still alive and almost 100 others
00:45have avoided serious life changing injuries. The Welsh Government argued from the outset
00:50the lives would be saved and many too would be saved for the NHS.
00:55The effect has been felt across Wales with every police force recording fewer casualties.
00:59In North Wales in particular, where almost all roads were changed from 30 to 20, crashes
01:04fell by nearly half.
01:06And for drivers there has been an unexpected benefit. Insurers say that lower speeds have
01:11cut damage claims with some companies reducing premiums, saving Welsh motorists on average £45
01:16a year.
01:17Clearly though it is still not without his opposition, with continuing calls for the policy to be
01:22overturned or at least remedied, and councils across the country reassessing which roads
01:27can and will be changed back to 30 in the future.
01:31Campaigners say the evidence proves the policy is working, not only making communities safer,
01:35but also putting a bit of money back in people's pockets. But it's likely the argument will carry
01:39on well into the future. James Peach Watkins reporting for Local TV.
Comments