‘Genuinely confused’ drivers shouldn’t be fined for speeding in new 20mph zones says Mark Drakeford

Drivers shouldn't be fined if they are "genuinely confused" as to whether they are in an area covered by default 20mph speed limits, Wales' First Minister has said. Instead, police should educate these drivers - but not if they merely claim to be confused by the new law. The Welsh Government has said formal enforcement will begin from today (Monday, January 8).

South Wales Police is already in a position to issue fines and Mark Drakeford[1] said North Wales Police[2] will "follow" in its wake. The First Minister said a degree of latitude might be expected. Speaking at a press conference today, he said: "I think if the police find somebody driving above 20mph, and the reason is they are genuinely confused about that... the police will always start with education and conversation.

I don't think, in those circumstances of genuine confusion, the police will move to enforcement.

"If there are examples - genuine examples - of people having misunderstood the piece of road they are on is now a 20mph limit[5], then I think that will be resolved by the way the police intend to respond. But it would need to be genuine confusion rather than just a claim to be confused," reports WalesOnline[6].

At the press conference, Mr Drakeford was asked if every new 20mph sign was now in place and if every speed camera was now switched on. He was also quizzed on whether every force is now able to fine drivers exceeding the limit. He replied: "Police forces are ready and have a plan.

South Wales begins immediately, North Wales will follow. I've nothing in front of me to suggest that the physical infrastructure needed to enforce the law isn't in place." North Wales Live has launched a WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone[7]

The Welsh Government[8] has been asked to clarify the enforcement position of the Gwent and Dyfed Powys police forces. Mr Drakeford said the new arrangements have been given time to bed in and he insisted few people would be in a position to claim ignorance of the new law. "Given the amount of attention paid to it, it would be difficult for anybody to say by the end of last year they had never heard of it," said the First Minister. "Now we are moving into the next phase.

It isn't a hard enforcement phase, it continues to start with people being informed, educated and made aware of the change. "Where there are blatant and deliberate breaches of the law - just as there would be by people speeding over 30mph in a 30mph zone or over 70mph on the motorway - then we would all expect the law to be enforced. That's what we would expect in Wales."

Enforcement is ongoing in 20mph zones that pre-dated the new national law.

Since September, the only fines for drivers exceeding 20mph speed limits have been in the South Wales Police force area. Figures obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show that 95 drivers in the region were caught via fixed cameras and received penalties for speeds above 26mph. Two were taken to court for travelling at speeds of 37mph and 35mph.

Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter[9] sent twice daily to your inbox There were eight offences, of either 32mph or 33mph, which were all dealt with via penalty points. In the remaining 85 cases, for speeds between 31mph and 26mph, drivers all took the option of a speed awareness course.

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References

1. ^ Mark Drakeford (www.dailypost.co.uk)
2. ^ North Wales Police (www.dailypost.co.uk)
3. ^ Met Office forecasts snow within hours as cold health alert issued (www.dailypost.co.uk)
4. ^ Locations of mobile speed cameras in North Wales for January 2024 and update on 20mph enforcement (www.dailypost.co.uk)
5. ^ 20mph limit (www.dailypost.co.uk)
6. ^ WalesOnline (www.walesonline.co.uk)
7. ^ WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone (www.dailypost.co.uk)
8. ^ Welsh Government (www.dailypost.co.uk)
9. ^ Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter (www.dailypost.co.uk)