Wales Is Bringing In a 20mph Speed Limit. Why – and What Will Happen?

THE GUARDIAN: While many oppose the new restrictions, the Welsh government says it is the ‘sensible and progressive thing to do’

A car travels past a 20mph and ‘Welcome to St Brides Major’ sign in Wales. Photograph: Dimitris Legakis/Athena Pictures
The introduction of a 20mph speed limit on most residential roads across Wales from Sunday is proving one of the most controversial the Labour-run Welsh government has ever put in place.

Welsh ministers argue it will save lives and lead to fewer injuries, save money for the NHS and make communities more pleasant places to live and work in.

The Conservatives argue it will cost the Welsh economy billions of pounds with the Welsh shadow transport minister, Natasha Asghar, calling the rollout “madcap, ludicrous” and Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons, attacking it as “absolutely insane”. » | Steven Morris | Friday, September 15, 2023

Penny Mordaunt is right on this. It is indeed “absolutely insane”! If you’re thinking of visiting Wales, leave your Lamborghini or Ferrari home! You won’t need such a beautiful car in Wales. Instead, drive your horse-and-buggy! – © Mark Alexander


Related article here.

All the roads now changing to 20mph and the roads that will remain 30mph as new default comes in »

Tories Lose Vote to Ditch Default 20mph Policy for Wales

WALES ONLINE: Conservative politicians wanted the new 20mph default law in Wales scrapped days before it is due to come into force, but it never looked likely given their low numbers in the Senedd

Opposition politicians have this evening lost their bid to throw out the Labour-run Welsh Government's default 20mph speed limit for Wales, just days before it is due to come into force. The Welsh Government says the law, which comes in on Sunday, September 17, will make roads safer and "improve the quality of life for everyone".

Conservative politicians held a typically fiery hour-long debate at plenary in the Senedd on Wednesday evening, followed by a vote on MS Darren Millar's motion which called for the Government to "repeal The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022".

The motion failed with 15 votes to 38. It never looked likely that the Tories would get enough support due to the political make-up of the Senedd. » | Ruth Mosalski, Political editor and Jonathan Hill, News reporter | Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Putting in place 20mph speed limits in Wales is truly absurd. Whoever thinks that this will save lives and cause fewer road traffic accidents is surely mistaken. In my humble opinion, this policy could well cause more RTAs, not fewer, simply because of the frustration it will cause to drivers. A frustrated driver is a dangerous driver. This is a truly sad development. It is also madness. – © Mark Alexander

EU Driving Licence Comes Into Force
THE INDEPENDENT: An EU driving licence comes into force tomorrow - a credit card-style replacement for the more than 100 different paper and plastic licences currently in use by more than 300 million motorists across the 27 European member states.

The common-format licence for all EU drivers, with improved security protection, is part of a package of new measures proposed by Brussels and approved by EU ministers to improve free movement across borders, crack down on driving licence fraud and improve road safety across the EU.

"Traffic police across Europe are currently expected to recognise more than 100 different types of paper and plastic driving licence" said EU transport commissioner Siim Kallas on the eve of the launch.

"ID photos may be long out of date, the categories for which the driver is licensed unclear and the document may be easy to forge. Fake driving licences are a licence to kill, that is why we need licences which are easy to read, easy to understand and very difficult to falsify."

Existing licences are not affected, but will be changed to the new format at the time of renewal or at the latest by 2033. » | Geoff Meade | Friday, January 18, 2013

All National Car Rental Vehicles in France to Include Breath Test Kits
ITCM: Following news of changes to road regulations in France, National Car Rental, leading international car rental specialist, has confirmed that all its vehicles will include breathalyser alcohol testing kits. In a clamp down on drink-driving, all drivers on French roads, including foreign visitors, will have to carry breath test kits with them or face a fine. The move by National Car Rental, therefore, ensures its customers are able to comply with this new regulation.

From 1st July 2012, all drivers on French roads must carry disposable breathalyser kits with them. The measure allows drivers to test whether they are over the limit before they get in their car and aims to cut the number of road related deaths in France. Drivers found without a breathalyser in their vehicle could be fined €17. » | Thursday, March 29, 2012

Government Plans to Raise Speed Limit to 80mph
THE GUARDIAN: Transport secretary to announce proposed increase in speed limit from 70mph to 80mph at Tory conference

The government plans to raise the speed limit to 80mph from 70mph in a victory for the transport secretary, Philip Hammond.

Hammond said on Thursday he will launch a consultation later this year with a view to introducing the new limit in 2013.

The new policy is part of a determined bid to shift the government on to the side of the motorists after successive governments appeared keen to discourage driving.

Hammond is expected to couple the increase with an expansion of 20mph limits in many urban areas.

But the motorway proposal is expected to receive stiff opposition from road safety campaigners and environmentalists who point out that cars are far less fuel efficient at the higher speed.

Hammond said: "Britain's roads should be the arteries of a healthy economy and cars are a vital lifeline for many." he blamed Labour's "shortsighted and misguided war on the motorist" for penalising drivers.

"This government has already scrapped the M4 bus lane, cut central government funding for money-making speed cameras and announced new measures to crack down on boy racers and reckless drivers while standing up for the decent majority," he said.

"Now it is time to put Britain back in the fast lane of global economies and look again at the motorway speed limit which is nearly 50 years old, and out of date thanks to huge advances in safety and motoring technology.

"Increasing the motorway speed limit to 80mph would generate economic benefits of hundreds of millions of pounds through shorter journey times. So we will consult later this year on raising the limit to get Britain moving." » | Allegra Stratton, political correspondent | Thursday, September 29, 2011

Drunk Driving: 243 Licenses Seized This Year
ARAB NEWS: JEDDAH: Since the beginning of the current Hijri year, 243 drivers in Jeddah have had their driving licenses withdrawn after they were caught drunk-driving or operating vehicles when under the influence of drugs, traffic police announced on Thursday. They were each sentenced to 80 lashes and fined SR500.

The police said the Jeddah summary court, which the violators were sent to, issued the verdicts. They added that under the law, the drivers would also be sentenced to various jail terms.

“The DUI drivers are a real threat to other road users and sober car drivers. They are a main cause of traffic congestion as they are not focused,” said Brig. Muhammad Al-Qahtani, director of traffic in Jeddah. » | Muhammad Humaidan | ARAB NEWS | Friday, June 03, 2011

The Drugalyser: New Weapon in the Clampdown on Drug Driving
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A new handheld “drugalyser” that detects substance abuse in under two minutes could become the latest weapon the clampdown on drug driving.

The portable handheld device can detect cocaine and heroine from a saliva sample within 90 seconds and other substances within minutes. It is able to detect drugs in the body at far lower levels than existing testing devices[.]

The new portable device, which will be available in 2011, would mean police officers could carry out tests on suspected drug drivers at the roadside. >>> Heidi Blake | Thursday, November 18, 2010

Drink Drive Limit to Be Lowered Under New Plans
THE TELEGRAPH: The drink-drive limit could be lowered so that one drink is enough to put motorists over the limit, under plans to be considered by the new Transport Secretary.

Among the other controversial measures that could be introduced are giving the police more power to randomly stop drivers, an even lower limit for learner drivers and lifetime bans for repeat offenders and those considered “high risk.”

The report, drawn up by Sir Peter North and commissioned by the former Labour government, recommends that the limit for drink-driving falls from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg. That would bring Britain into line with most other European countries.

Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, will publish the report today and will study its findings. If he goes ahead and backs the new lower drink drive limit it will be controversial, as the Conservatives had opposed such a move in opposition.

Sir Peter, who is the former Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, is likely to urge a tightening of other aspects of the procedures that surround drink-drive arrests. >>> Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Wednesday, June 16, 2010

All the pleasures of life are either bad for you, sinful in the eyes of God (if you believe in Him), or increasingly illegal. Cigarettes went out of the window a long time ago. Booze is being clamped down on at an alarming rate. Sex gets you into trouble if you aren’t careful; or in any case can be controversial these days, to say the least. Eating makes you fat. Sugar causes diabetes. Salt causes hypertension. Soon there’ll be little else to do but turn to Mekkah and pray to Allah. At least that way, all being well, you should eventually get 72 virgins, unlimited wine (which is forbidden to the faithful on this earth), and dark-eyed houris more beautiful than one can possibly imagine! Furthermore, as an added bonus, they tell me that there aren’t any politicians up in Heaven – no politicians whatsoever, of any hue. Now that’s got to be a good thing! – © Mark

Anti-Dhimmitude! Woman Fined for Driving While Wearing Burka
THE TELEGRAPH: A woman has been fined for driving while wearing a burka because the garment "reduced her field of vision".

Police stopped the Muslim woman during routine drink-drive checks on motorists in Louvroil, northern France.

The Islamic driver had not been drinking but instead officers issued her with a £17 fine for breaking road safety rules.

Two months ago, a separate woman was pulled over in Nantes, western France, for driving in a full face veil and also fined.

The latest incident comes as French MPs prepare to vote on whether to impose a full ban on wearing burkas and niqabs later this year.

Moves to ban the burka in France come after a year of heated national debate and mounting public tensions over the issue.

Last month, France's reported its first known case of 'burka rage', when a female lawyer ripped off a Muslim woman's veil in a bust-up in a clothes shop.

And last year a Muslim woman took her local council to court after she was banned from wearing a 'burqini' swimsuit at her local pool for 'hygiene reasons'. >>> | Thursday, June 03, 2010

Too Tipsy to Drive? There's an App for That

States Move to Raise Speed Limits

Drivers Warned of Drunks in Road as Romania Tries to Reduce Accidents
TIMES ONLINE: Road signs warning drivers that drunken people may be in the road have been put up to reduce the number of accidents.

The signs read "Attention - Drunks" and show a reveller crawling along with a bottle in his hand.

Petru Antal, the Mayor of Pecica in Romania said his town had a vibrant nightlife. He said: “We are a border town and have lots of cars thundering through here all the time. But we also have a very vibrant nightlife and the two don't mix.

“We have to target the drivers because by the time they get to this state the pedestrians are beyond caring.” [Source: Times Online] | Foreign Staff | Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Offensive Number Plates Withdrawn from Auction
THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: Gay rights campaigners today welcomed a move by the car licensing authority to withdraw offensive number plates from an auction.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) pulled the plates F4 GOT and D1 KES, which were due to be among 1,600 auctioned later this week.

The agency decided to remove the plates which bear resemblance to the derogatory terms faggot and dykes, on grounds of "the clear potential offence".

Each of the private plates had a reserve price of £900.

They were due to go under the hammer at an auction in Broadway, Worcestershire. >>> Liam Creedon, PA | Sunday, October 04, 2009

Saudi Arabia: Driving for Reform – March 16, 2008

Saudi Arabia: Why Women Should Not Be Allowed to Drive

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>

Saudi Arabia Eases Laws on Solo Women
BBC: The authorities in Saudi Arabia have decided to end a ban on unaccompanied women staying in the country's hotels.

A woman can now stay in a hotel alone as long as she carries identification.

Based on a royal decree, the move marks a break from religious codes requiring women to be accompanied by a male guardian at all times.

The decree allowed the Ministry of Trade to outline new regulations simply requiring women to show photographic ID to hotel managers.

This must then be registered with local police.

The decision was reported by the local daily al-Watan newspaper, which is considered close to the Saudi government, on Monday. S Arabia eases laws on solo women >>>

THE TELEGRAPH:
Saudi Arabia to lift ban on women drivers

BBC:
Senior Saudi royal demands reform

BBC:
Campaign for release of Saudi blogger

Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)

Women to Be Allowed to Drive in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia!
THE TELEGRAPH: Saudi Arabia is to lift its ban on women drivers in an attempt to stem a rising suffragette-style movement in the deeply conservative state.

Government officials have confirmed the landmark decision and plan to issue a decree by the end of the year.

The move is designed to forestall campaigns for greater freedom by women, which have recently included protesters driving cars through the Islamic state in defiance of a threat of detention and loss of livelihoods.

The royal family has previously balked at granting women driving permits, claiming the step did not have full public support.

The driving ban dates back to the establishment of the state in 1932, although recently the government line has weakened.

"There has been a decision to move on this by the Royal Court because it is recognised that if girls have been in schools since the 1960s, they have a capability to function behind the wheel when they grow up," a government official told The Daily Telegraph. "We will make an announcement soon." Saudi Arabia to lift ban on women drivers >>> By Damien McElroy in Riyadh

Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)