[AndyRVTR]

The Welsh government are introducing a 20mph speed limit on all residential roads and pedestrian streets across Wales from Today
Do you think it's a good or bad idea and do you think it will be introduced across the rest of the UK if its successful?

[Goosegirl]

Essentially it's a good idea but who is going to enforce and police it as some motorists and bikers will go at whatever speed they want to. Will it mean more speed cameras?

[AndyRVTR]

Will it mean more speed cameras?

I think someone raised that point during the debates, that it's just another stealth tax on motorists who break an even lower limit. I believe there will soon be no more lea-way on speed limits, ie even 1mph over the limit will result in a fine!

[Hampshire Hog]

This is very difficult on an empty road it could seem unnecessary.
I keep my speed to 20 miles an hour where indicated locally but my car doesn’t like driving this slowly. Also I find if I’m not careful I can be overtaken. On the main road near us I’m tailgated when I drive at 30 miles an hour. The problem is we have a subset of drivers who shouldn’t be on the road. If I’m passing a group of young children I will be virtually at a standstill as I know how unpredictable they can be.
Essentially we need more police to be visible in our communities.

[Yorkie]

The rule change relates to restricted roads - those with a system of street lighting where street lamps are no more than 198 yards apart. Up until now, the general rules have been that there is a default 30mph speed limit unless another speed limit has been passed by the local authority and is shown by regular repeater speed signs.

As you say, national legislation in Wales was passed about 18 months ago and has now changed the default limit there to 20mph where you see this system of street lighting and no other repeater signs. It is open to the local Welsh authority to pass a local speed limit putting it back to 30mph (or other) on local streets.

Quite a few local authorities in England have already made local orders covering local areas (some in the SW come to mind), where you will see general 20mph limits (not just on various roads). So, while there is no general push for a national change in England, it is occurring in various areas separately, where there is a demand for it.

[Lardman]

Im curious how they intend to enforce this against things like electric scooters, electric bikes and even peddle ones.

[Yorkie]

Im curious how they intend to enforce this against things like electric scooters, electric bikes and even peddle ones.

The relevant law applies to motor vehicles only. E-scooters that are covered under the trial provisions, electrically assisted pedal cycles, and pedal cycles are not motor vehicles and therefore the rules do not apply to them.

[Lardman]

I see it's actually in the FAQ
Why are bicycles allowed to overtake me when I am driving at 20mph?

I was today years old when I learnt this.  I genuinely thought speed limits applied to all road users, it just hadn't been an issue at 30mph.   

[Goosegirl]

If you are riding on the road in or on whatever transport then the speed limit should apply to all users. End of.

[Yorkie]

Well as the road traffic legislation has been in force in its current incarnation for many decades I suspect you're not going to get it changed any time soon