Author Topic: 20 is plenty in Wales (Read 2571 times)

Brockett · « **on:** September 18, 2023, 19:39:05 »

There seems to be some significant confusion here in Wales regarding Speed Limit change and so, I thought I would help by briefly explaining how the change works so that there can be no confusion:
Any roads that were previously 30 will now be 20 apart from the roads that aren't going to be 20, which will still remain as 30. When you see street lights you have to assume that the roads will be 20 even if the signs still say 30 because despite the signs saying 30, the roads could be 20, apart from, of course, the roads (as explained above) which will remain 30 despite them being 20. It's also important to remember that there will still be a number of roads which despite them having streetlights will not be 20, and in these cases they could be 30, 40, 50, 60 or even 70, however, always bear in mind that even if the signs on these roads still state 30 they could, of course, be 20 unless they are one of the roads that have been designated 30, in which case the 20 restriction will not apply.
I trust that clarifies. It's really not difficult.

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 18, 2023, 19:50:28 »

Brockett. You sound like future Prime minister material. So it's 30mph everywhere then just to be safe. I know this will come to England too. When it does I will sell my DL650A and buy a 50cc scooter or maybe an electric bike and save my licence.

The longer I live in England the more I want to leave but where in the world is better? The world has gone Mad!

Brockett · « **Reply #2 on:** September 18, 2023, 20:06:44 »

At my age all I am fit for is President of USA

Sea-Strom · « **Reply #3 on:** September 18, 2023, 20:26:39 »

Undemocratically forced on us here in Wales unfortunately with no consultation. A recent poll on Wales Online showed 90% objection and a massive petition was submitted to the Wesh Assembly saying 'no' but still Mark Drakeford and his mob bulldozed it through to come into force yesterday! I went out today in Swansea and many many roads have gone 20 mph, mainly in residential areas. The signage is confusing with half being daubed in silver paint. Even a stretch of 40 had signs painted over. The advice is - 'if in doubt go 20'. When calibrated, the speed cameras will show no mercy - 20 or 3 points!!! The police say they will chat helpfully to begin with (oh yeah!) Many vehicles today were driving at 30 or more in defiance (but wait till the cosh starts coming down). There are a few exceptions to 30 around town but most places require constant rubber necking to see what the hell you should do.....not very safe driving/riding to say the least. Argument is it will save lives. Road rage and silly overtakes more likely. Still we are stuck with it unless the Conservatives put a reversal on their next manifesto! Don't know what it's like in more rural Wales but I understand each village will require you to slow down to 20. Bicycles will undertake in town (no penalty) and motorcycle filtering will be plagued by jaywalkers. The other home nations are viewing our experience with interest or maybe terror! For the moment I fancy moving back to England and what it will do for the tourist industry I don't know - holiday in Wales and lose your licence by the time you get home!

Fat Rat · « **Reply #4 on:** September 18, 2023, 20:31:29 »

I drove to Carmarthen yesterday and I am not exaggerating when I say that I was in a queue of around 50 cars, all bunched up together because of this absolute lunacy. Let's save the environment huh?

The signs are all over the place, some 20 and some 30. People are unsure so are braking hard at every village. Some drivers are clearly unsure and are hedging their bets, driving at 25mph. Others at 17 - 18mph

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2023, 20:46:56 »

Drivers will find the non-20 routes, and because they are longer, will drive at 40 through the still-30 areas. More miles, more petrol, more risks.

Hugo Magnus · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2023, 20:51:03 »

Vote we all drive/ride at 10mph until the government come to their senses. Oh wait a minute

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2023, 20:57:59 »

Just drive to what the sign says... Not that hard ... Brockett has explained it eloquently

MartinW · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2023, 22:12:13 »

To avoid the uncertainty, ride at 20mph and 30mph at the same time.

Doing 50mph will cover both bases.

mr_diver · « **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2023, 22:49:32 »

On the way back from FatRat's on Sunday I went through one little village that had some lovely new sign posts.. nice fresh galvanised posts with new signs.

The first pair of signs as you come into the village says 20... 10 ft later the the next pair say 30.

All were fresh new post/signs so not a new set and an old set.

cooltshirt · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2023, 08:34:29 »

Edinburgh is 20 mph on virtually all streets except main bus routes. As is most of Scotland. Been like this for a few years now,. No drama. I'd rather we didn't have these limits, but we do. Looks like a lot of the hysteria is generated by desperate right wing tabloids.

Fat Rat · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2023, 08:56:13 »

Right wing tabloids and me.

I was pretty hysterical on that trip to Carmarthen, screaming words like 'lunatic labour fuckwits'.

StromGeeza · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2023, 12:29:52 »

To be fair, Welsh conservatives voted for it also when the bill was presented to the Senedd.
I expect there will be widespread exemptions to the 20 limit as local councils try to placate the pitchfork-wielding mob.

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #13 on:** September 19, 2023, 12:59:44 »

https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=18151.0

kwackboy · « **Reply #14 on:** September 19, 2023, 16:23:50 »

Hugo Magnus · « **Reply #15 on:** September 19, 2023, 16:25:42 »

Rusty,
It's a question of do as I say ......

Fat Rat · « **Reply #16 on:** September 19, 2023, 16:31:20 »

Now, now

2112 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 19, 2023, 19:07:38 »

If ANY government is genuinely serious about road safety they need to include pedestrians into the mix and give them specific duties under the highway code. These aimless creatures, their attention usually captivated by a smart phone or oblivious to traffic sounds due to wearing 'idiot plugs', can wander out in front of you (at whatever speed) and you as a driver will be held to blame if you hit them - unless you can prove that they did something which you could not 'reasonably' predict. Make it compulsory to use pedestrian crossings, not to cross between parked cars, be obliged to look both ways before corossing etc. A few sentences in the highway code would go a long way... A pedestrian hit a 20 mph can still die just as easily as one hit at 30 mph!

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #18 on:** September 19, 2023, 19:23:33 »

"Ambling without due care and attention."

endintears · « **Reply #19 on:** September 19, 2023, 19:41:19 »

For better or worse the people of Wales have consented to this situation as it is at this moment in time.
The practicalities of reversing decisions like this through the normal democratic process entails politicians and others who oppose potentially facing (for instance) a mother accusing them of the death of her child because it was struck by a vehicle at thirty miles an hour but would have survived if the speed had been twenty.
Given this those who have championed it believe that regardless of democratic support now or in the future it will never be reversed.
A referendum on the matter though not devoid of being influenced by emotional blackmail would maybe provide a practical democratic route.