20’s the limit: How to encourage speed reductions

The 20mph default speed limit on all residential roads in Wales is part of a suite of measures to promote ‘liveable’ communities. 20mph limits have been implemented in many places in the UK but never on a national scale. A substantial shift in driver behaviour will be needed for the limit to achieve its desired effect.

Our report aims to address two main questions:

  1. What specific behavioural interventions might be implemented to promote driver compliance with 20mph speed limits in residential areas; and
  2.  Are there particular demographics, community characteristics or other features that should form the basis of a segmentation approach?

The report finds that the majority of drivers say they support the idea of 20mph limits, but actual compliance has been found to be low. Achieving the required culture shift will require coordinated support from leaders across all sectors.