WALES has become the first country to bring in a nationwide default speed limit of 20mph – a decision based on research in the Borders.

From Sunday (September 17) most roads across Wales in built-up residential areas now have a default speed limit of 20mph – reduced from the previous 30mph.

The move was supported by a study at Edinburgh Napier University showing that the roll-out of 20mph speed limits across the Borders has reduced average speeds by 3mph.

With previous research showing that there is an average four per cent reduction in collisions with each 1mph reduction in average speed on rural roads, the study “demonstrates the significant knock-on effect the new speed limit is likely to have”, particularly when seen within the context of the national Road Safety Framework to reduce deaths and serious injuries to zero by 2050.

The Borders research also found that 85 per cent of drivers dropped their speed by 3mph, with some areas – where higher speeds had been seen in the past – seeing an average reduction of 5.4mph.

The trial, first launched in 2020, was the first of its kind to look at the effects of a 20mph limit on such a large, rural area.

Professor Adrian Davies, of Edinburgh Napier University’s Transport Research Institute, who led the research, said: “Previous research has shown that 20mph speed limits are effective in large towns and cities in both reducing speed driven and in reducing casualties.

“Our work looking at speed changes reveals that speed reduction to 20mph from 30mph in rural settlements produces similar results for speed reduction as in urban areas. Our research findings consequently support the switch in Wales last Sunday from default 30mph to default 20mph speed limit.”

The speed reduction is being opposed by some in Wales, with a petition against it signed by more than 200,000 people.

The petition claims the Welsh Government has failed to produce “any convincing evidence” to support the policy change.