GRACE PERIOD OVER AS GOSAFE VANS BEGIN ‘ROADSIDE ENGAGEMENT’

ENFORCEMENT of the new default 20mph speed limit began this week – more than three months after the controversial policy was introduced.

There has been confusion around when the new speed limit would be enforced.

It was said enforcement would begin three months after the new speed limit was introduced, which would have been December 17.

However, the Welsh Government has confirmed enforcement for the speed limit actually began on Monday.

Last month, the Welsh Government said: “Gosafe will begin selecting new sites (locations) for speed van and other enforcement (roads that were 30mph and are now 20mph) once the new speed limit has been in place for three months.”

Now that the planning is complete, people can expect to see teams from Gosafe out on the roads this month.

In a statement, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Following the introduction of the new default 20mph speed limit in September 2023, there was an initial bedding-in period to give people time to adapt to the change.

“At the start of November 2023, Gosafe restarted enforcing the speed limit in areas where 20mph had been in place before September, 2023.

“From January 2024, Gosafe will begin enforcing the default 20mph speed limit as it rolls out Operation Ugain across Wales.”

According to Gosafe, when enforcement of the speed limit on existing 20mph roads restarted in November, 95 offences were found in total.

The average speed offence was 28.3mph and the highest speed offence was 37mph.

Gosafe is running “Operation Ugain” in order to enforce the new 20mph speed limit across the network where it applies in partnership with Welsh police forces, local authorities, community speed watch groups and the fire and rescue services.

At new 20mph sites, if motorists are caught speeding by a mobile camera, a risk assessment is carried out.

If it is deemed to be high risk, enforcement will be established; if it is lower risk, roadside engagement will be delivered.

If a person is caught speeding by a fixed camera, the local authority will assess the case.

According to Gosafe: “Roadside engagement will be delivered using Operation Ugain.

“These operations use speed monitoring equipment to identify people travelling over the speed limit, before stopping the vehicle and giving the driver a choice between a fine and points or roadside engagement.

“The most dangerous drivers will not be eligible and will be prosecuted.”