GoSafe - 20mph

Speeding concerns in any speed limit are assessed on an individual basis using our site criteria. Unlike other speed limits, engagement can be considered in 20mph areas through Operation Ugain, as an alternative to enforcement. In areas that aren’t suitable for Operation Ugain, alternative GoSafe operations may also be considered, such as Community Speed Watch, or referral to partner agencies such as Highways Authorities.

Operation Ugain uses speed monitoring equipment to identify people travelling over the speed limit, before police officers stop the vehicle and give the driver a choice between roadside engagement or points and a fine. While drivers will be offered the free engagement as an alternative, they can refuse, which will then result in prosecution.

For those exceeding the speed limit to a greater degree, they will not be eligible for an engagement session and will be prosecuted.

You can use the contact forms on our website to get in touch with the GoSafe team in your area.

No. There has been no change in the amount of enforcement we provide. There was an increase in roadside engagement through Operation Ugain.

GoSafe apply the NPCC guidelines which outline the enforcement thresholds of not less than 10% plus 2mph. Following the change in default limit, Chief Police Officers allowed us to increase this to 10% plus 4mph in 20mph only, meaning we start to prosecute at 26mph in a 20mph limit.

The installation of speed calming measures, such as speed bumps, signage, or fixed cameras, falls under the remit of the local authority. We would kindly ask that you get in touch with your local authority for any request regarding these measures.

If you have witnessed dangerous or careless driving, you can submit photos and footage to Operation Snap on our website.

No. Safety cameras are used to improve road safety, not for profit. All fine revenue is passed to His Majesty’s Treasury and is not used by GoSafe or local authorities. There is no incentive to enforce where we will detect a high number of offences.  Our most successful sites are where we detect no offences, because it means that there is the greatest amount of compliance, and therefore where roads are safer.

Speed limits in the Road Traffic Regulations and the Highway Code apply to motor vehicles only and not to bicycles. However, the Highway Code states that cyclists should be considerate of other road users.

The Welsh Government provided £570,000 for additional 20mph roadside engagement through Operation Ugain in 2023/24. This is in addition to the regular grant from Welsh Government, which was £2,800,000 in both 2023/24 and 2024/25 and covers all other GoSafe activity.

To continue to support the extra engagement being undertaken, the Welsh Government supported the salary costs of the Operation Ugain teams.

No. GoSafe's casualty reduction officers are trained to know the legal signage requirements.  Prior to starting enforcing, they complete multiple checks, including checking road signage. If the road signage is not appropriate, they will not enforce and will report it to the relevant Highway Authority to remedy.

Enforcement is considered for 20mph areas in the same way as other speed limits.

We consider enforcement where collisions have happened that resulted in someone being injured, communities have raised concerns, or in areas where vulnerable road users and vehicles mix e.g. near schools or community facilities.

A map showing all enforcement sites is available here.

We publish a map containing all of our possible enforcement locations here. Our casualty reduction officers may be working at any of these locations, however, you should never drive faster than the posted speed limit.  There is no restriction on where police officers can enforce speeding.

Remember, in built up areas if you see streetlights think 20mph, unless signed otherwise. More information is available at  Introducing 20mph speed limits: frequently asked questions | GOV.WALES

Fixed cameras are installed where the risk of a fatal or serious collision is highest. The risk in 20mph areas with fixed cameras has been re-evaluated and these cameras were adjusted to enforce the 20mph limit.

Advice letters are issued for the first 4 weeks following the activation of a fixed camera. We tell people about cameras being activated in advance; through the GoSafe website and partner social media channels. 

You can see a list of the fixed cameras on our camera map.

We recognise that most people want to comply with the speed limit in their communities. If they don’t know what the speed limit is, they may regularly pass a fixed camera and unknowingly break the law. Building up multiple offences like this could end with them losing their licence.

Using advice letters lets engage first and tell people what the correct speed limit is. This is only offered once and isn’t repeated.

This system supports our aim of achieving compliance with the speed limit for safety reasons, and only using enforcement as a last resort.

We use the “4E” method to improve road safety: Engineering, Education, Engagement and Enforcement.  Enforcement is always the last option.

Engagement is always prioritised to support behaviour change. Enforcement is used when it is justified and where engagement isn’t appropriate.

We used Operation Ugain to offer free roadside engagement as our priority after the default speed limit changed. Enforcement was used in areas with road safety risk where engagement wasn’t appropriate.

The Welsh Government established an independent panel to review the exceptions criteria for Highways Authorities. These criteria helped Highways Authorities decide whether the speed limit on a road should be 20mph.

New criteria were given to Local Highways Authorities after the review and led to the speed limit on some roads being reviewed. We are working closely with Local Authorities across Wales to avoid setting up enforcement sites on roads that are likely to be reviewed.

More information on the review can be found at 20mph default speed limit review of exceptions | GOV.WALES

Setting the speed limit is done by Highways Authorities. If you’d like to discuss changing the speed limit on a road, we’d kindly ask that you contact your Local Highways Authority.

If we’re enforcing on a road, it means that there’s road safety risk. This could be speeding concerns, a history of road casualties, or nearby are schools or road works. This applies to all speed limits.

You can see more information about setting local speed limits in Wales.

For your own safety and to comply with the law, you must be able to drive your vehicle safely, react to potential hazards and always obey mandatory traffic signs.

We won’t enforce in areas where traffic signs are inappropriate and could confuse people.

If you’re unsure if a road has a 20mph limit, just remember; if you see streetlights in a built-up area, think 20mph, unless signed otherwise. More information is available at  Introducing 20mph speed limits: frequently asked questions | GOV.WALES