Police allowing drivers to break new speed limit TODAY with rules applied differently in some parts of the UK
POLICE are allowing drivers to break the speed limit from today due to a difference in rules across certain areas of the UK, it has been revealed.
The disparity could see motorists in some parts of the country able to drive up to 25mph in a 20 zone despite tough new restrictions.
The introduction of blanket 20mph restrictions in Wales has seen fierce backlash from road users, but has now become embroiled in controversy for including a gaping loophole.
GoSafeWales, the road safety partnership between local authorities and police forces, has confirmed that the enforcement threshold (the point at which drivers would be prosecuted for speeding) will sit at 10% plus 4mph over the speed limit.
In practical terms, this would mean that drivers can travel at up to 26mph before they are prosecuted for breaking the 20 limit.
This is in sharp contrast to the threshold across the rest of the nation, which sits at 10% plus 2mph, or 23mph in a 20 zone.
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Similarly, the threshold at which a magistrate will oversee the case is set to be significantly higher in Wales.
Currently, drivers could face a magistrate, with the potential of a fine and a driving ban of up to 28 days, if they are caught going over 31mph in a 20 zone.
But in Wales, this process is set to be triggered at 40mph instead.
For reference, according to road safety charity Safe Speed, a pedestrian has a 90% chance of survival if hit by a car travelling at 20mph, compared to 50% at 30mph and just 10% at 40mph.
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Enforcement began this morning after a "bedding in" period for the new restrictions.
Motoring lawyer John Wilkins slammed the scheme as confusing and inconsistent.
He told : "There are clients of mine that have raised issues around signage and there’s confusion whether certain roads are 20, 30 or even 40mph.
";The speed limit sign must be clear otherwise the motorist has a potential challenge to any offence.
"Another confusion that if a case proceeds to court, the magistrates court guidelines for England and Wales suggest that if you’re caught doing 31mph in a 20mph zone, the starting point the magistrates should consider is a seven to 28-day disqualification from driving along with a fine."
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government, though, emphasised its belief that the rules will "save lives"
They said: "At the start of November 2023, GoSafe restarted enforcing the speed limit in areas where 20mph had been in place before September 2023.
"From January 2024, Go Safe will begin enforcing the new default 20mph speed limit as it rolls out Operation Ugain across Wales."