Opposition to speed limit can’t be ignored

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NY hopes the Labour leadership might have had that opposition towards the 20mph default residential speed limit might have eased appear to be undermined by the latest poll which shows that, if anything, opposition to the slower speed is increasing.

It’s been six months since the speed limit in built-up areas was reduced from 30mph but while ministers hoped people would get used to the slower driving and, if not support it, then come to accept it, the opposite appears to be the case.

When the law changed to introduce 20mph in September last year, ministers said that communities would come to appreciate the benefits of the speed limit in making roads safer, quieter and nicer for cyclists and pedestrians.

However, most people don’t appear to be won over by evidence that suggest that the introduction of the 20mph limit could reduce casualties on Welsh roads by 20,000 over the next decade.

These results suggest that many people just don’t believe that driving at 20mph rather than 30mph, is actually likely to save lives, as the politicians suggest.

And drivers certainly notice the fact that their everyday journeys are taking just that little bit longer, while those who stick to the new limit are likely to be followed down residential streets by a stream of cars helmed by drivers quietly fuming at having to progress at such a slow pace.

So what are we to do?

The new First Minister, Vaughan Gething, appears to be holding firm in his support for the limit, so it’s unlikely we will see a major reversal any time soon.

He has, however, admitted that they got the messaging wrong about the limit and that the Welsh Government must listen and not dictate to people in order to secure support for policies, such as this one, which mean real changes to the way we live our lives.

So are they listening?

The Welsh Government cannot continue to hope that people will grow to love the new limit.

There is every indication that opposition could grow over time, leaving ministers trying to defend a law that lacks widespread support.

The politicians must actually do what they say they will do; listen to the concerns of people who don’t believe their claims about the benefits of the 20mph limit, and produce real evidence to convince a sceptical public that it is something they should embrace.