Average speeds in Wales have dropped by 4mph since the introduction of the 20mph national speed limit.
The move to introduce the lower limit was one of the most controversial and contentious policies in Wales’ recent history and led to a petition being signed by 470,000 people opposing its introduction – the most-signed petition in Senedd history.
The average speed recorded in Wales is now 24.8mph, down from 28.9mph. And that is proof, according to Wales's deputy climate change minister, Lee Walters, that ‘attitudes are beginning to change.’
He said; "We've still got a way to go, but it's encouraging to see that things are moving in the right direction.
"Every 1mph reduction in speed makes a real difference - so this is a real turning point."
Ross Moorlock, chief executive of road safety charity Brake, added; “We hope that governments and local authorities across the UK will take Wales's lead and adopt 20mph as the default speed on roads where people and vehicles mix."
The opposition in Wales - The Welsh Conservatives – weren’t as positive about the data.
Shadow transport minister, Natasha Asghar, said: "To sacrifice billions of pounds from the Welsh economy all for the sake of 4mph may satisfy Labour, but it is not a trade the Welsh Conservatives would be willing to make."
The party has pledged to "scrap" the policy from its first day in office were it to win a majority at the next election.
