The Welsh Government has released latest police recorded road collision statistics from April to June this year show that both collisions (24%) and casualties (24%) on 20mph and 30mph roads (combined) have fallen by almost a quarter compared to the same period of 2023 – the lowest recorded outside of the pandemic.

It adds that in the first nine months since the introduction of 20mph in September 2023, the number of collisions (26%) and casualties (28%) on 20mph and 30mph roads (combined) were down by more than a quarter. It adds that three quarterly reductions within this period are the three largest quarterly reductions outside the pandemic period.

Because data is impacted by seasonal factors such as traffic volume and weather conditions it is both advisable and meaningful for statistics to be compared with the same period year on year rather than for consecutive periods. For example, data recorded between April-June (Q2) historically tends to be higher than between January-March (Q1). This has been the case in 11 of the last 15 years.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: “The data published today provides encouraging signs that things are moving in the right direction, with a fall year-on-year in collisions and casualties – the lowest on record outside the Covid pandemic period.

“We recognise there is still a way to go, we’ve always said it will take many years before we see any significant impact, but these figures are beginning to show a positive trend towards making our roads safer for everyone.

“Local Authorities are currently reviewing the feedback from their citizens and assessing it against our revised guidance to make sure they have the right speeds on the right roads, with road safety being at the heart of any decision made.”

(File picture: Welsh Government)