This week’s primary school assembly and classroom discussion focuses on a significant change to road safety laws in Wales and invites pupils to reflect on their school environment, safety measures, and how change happens. Wales Introduces a 20mph Speed Limit in Residential Areas Between 23rd and 29th October 2023, headlines have highlighted that Wales became the first nation in the UK to lower its maximum speed limit in residential areas, including those close to homes and schools, from 30mph to 20mph. Welsh ministers have stated that this new speed limit aims to make roads safer, especially for pedestrians and cyclists, and to encourage more people to walk or cycle. Implementing this change, alongside efforts to raise awareness and update road signs, has cost the government in Wales just over £32 million. However, ministers believe the long-term benefit—such as less demand on emergency services and the NHS—will outweigh the initial cost. Why Has Wales Introduced the 20mph Speed Limit? A public health study conducted by the Welsh government estimated the new 20mph limit could lead to 40% fewer collisions each year and allow between 1,200 and 2,000 people to avoid injury annually. The goal is to make the streets safer for all users—those playing, walking, or cycling—while encouraging an increase in these activities. Is There Support for the Change? Not everyone agrees with lowering the speed limit. Some believe it is unfair to drivers, who will face longer journey times. Public consultations found that more people were against the change than in favour. Other places, such as Sheffield in the UK and towns and cities in Spain, have implemented similar limits in recent years. How Are Speed Limits Decided? Across the UK, speed limits differ based on the type of road and vehicle. For example, cars can travel up to 60mph on single carriageways and 70mph on dual carriageways or motorways. Heavy vehicles and buses have lower maximum limits and are often equipped with speed limiters to help reduce collisions. In Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England, built-up areas have a 30mph limit, while in Wales it is now 20mph. The Department for Transport states that every 1mph reduction in average speed leads to 6% fewer accidents. Speed limits are typically set by local councils to suit local conditions. For example, a lower limit might be implemented around schools or on dangerous road sections. While these are the maximum limits, it is sometimes safer to drive below them depending on the conditions. What Measures Make School Areas Safer? Common safety measures outside schools include road markings, warning traffic signs, speed ramps or humps, smiley face speed signs, school crossing patrol officers (also known as lollipop persons), and 20mph limits. These features help protect pupils as they travel to and from school. Discussion Points for the Classroom Do you think the area around your school is safe? What measures are in place? How do you feel about the speed limits near your home and school? Why do you think not everyone agrees with reduced speed limits? How do you travel to school, and what do you notice about the journey? What could be done to make busy areas around schools safer during drop-off and pick-up times? Have you seen safety features like crosswalks, road ramps, or warning signs near your school? What responsibility do you have as a road user, whether you walk, cycle, or travel by car? The Importance of Speed Limits and Laws Speed limits are laws designed to reduce accidents and keep people safe. Exceeding these limits can result in legal consequences. In the UK, you must be at least 17 years old to learn to drive a car, ensuring safety for all road users. Everyone, regardless of age, has a right to safe roads as pedestrians or cyclists. Speed limits in built-up areas were introduced in the UK in 1935 to improve road safety. The introduction of a 20mph limit in residential areas in Wales is seen as the latest step in these ongoing efforts. Reflection: How Can We Make Our School Area Safer? There are different ways to make the area outside a school safer. As well as installed safety features, there are simple personal actions pupils can take: wear visible clothing, use pavements and crossings, and stay alert. If pupils believe more can be done to improve safety, they can use their voices to suggest changes. Speed and distance can be explored in school by calculating how fast you walk or travel to school. You might also compare the safety features outside your school with those at others, or research the history of roads, speed limits, and vehicle technology in the UK. Key Vocabulary Residential: An area with houses and homes. Amend: To make changes to something. Collision: When vehicles hit each other with force. Default: The standard option if no changes are made. Minister: The head of a government department. Outweighed: Being of greater importance or benefit. Further Exploration and Reflection Speed limits are just one part of keeping everyone safe on the roads. All road users—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians—play a role in making journeys safer. Reflecting on local speed limits and thinking about how they affect daily life encourages responsible habits and community discussion around safety. * Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample * Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss * Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
