20mph: Huge increase in motorists caught speeding in August

Figures issued by GoSafe revealed that 7,958 motorists were caught exceeding the controversial speed limit on North Wales roads in August, an increase of 2,759 from July.

The average offence speed was 28.7mph, with the highest recorded being 56mph. 

Across South and Mid Wales, a total of 7,326 motorists were caught speeding - at an average speed of 28.3mph. 

Each month, the number of motorists caught speeding in 20mph areas in North Wales has increased.

In March, there were just eight motorists caught exceeding the limit, which grew to 251 in April, 636 in May, 892 in June, 5,199 in July and almost 8,000 this month.

It means that close to 15,000 motorists have been caught speeding in 20mph areas in the region since March. 

A GoSafe spokesperson said: "It’s worth noting that the number of offences detected is not equal to the amount of people that received fines. The data is only for the number of offences. These offences may conclude in educational courses, points and a fine, court referrals or exemptions.

"We do not include a breakdown of the conclusions as notices have six months to be resolved and could be resolved at any point within that period."

In addition to the number of motorists caught in North Wales, GoSafe also released their monthly figures from Operation Ugain - the engagement focused approach aimed at educating drivers about the 20mph. 

In August, a total of 28,272 vehicles were monitored across Wales, with 1,349 of those exceeding the 20mph speed limit. 

Of those 1,349 vehicles caught speeding, 1,331 attended engagement sessions, while 18 were prosecuted. 

Eluned Morgan (Image: Welsh Government)

Last week, First Minister Eluned Morgan encouraged local councils to start introducing more 20mph exemptions, following the new guidance issued by Transport Secretary Ken Skates in July. 

Ms Morgan said: "I think there will have to be a shift. I think the public have made it clear they're not content with where it is now. 

"I think generally people want to see them around schools, but on main roads they find it much more difficult to justify. 

"Some councils have used their discretion to have loads and loads of exemptions and others haven't. I think there's an opportunity on some councils to increase the number of exemptions they've got."