MS, Deputy Minister for
Transport: Today, the Welsh Government has published provisional
statistics on police recorded road
collisions and casualties in Wales for April to June 2026.
The figures show a continued reduction in the number of
collisions and casualties on our roads. Between April and June
2026, there were 19% fewer collisions and 20% fewer casualties
across all roads in Wales compared with the same quarter in 2025.
The reductions on roads with lower speed limits are particularly
encouraging. On 20mph and 30mph roads combined, collisions fell
by 22% and casualties by 20% compared with the same period last
year.
Looking further back, to the equivalent quarter in 2023 before
the default 20mph speed limit was introduced, the figures show an
even greater reduction. Collisions on 20mph and 30mph roads
combined were 37% lower, while casualties were 35% lower.
These are the lowest figures recorded in this way for this
quarter, excluding the exceptional period affected by the Covid
pandemic.
Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community.
Fewer collisions and casualties mean fewer people experiencing
the pain and consequences of being injured on our roads. That is
why reducing road danger remains at the heart of our approach to
transport and road safety.
These results are extremely encouraging and add to the evidence
we are seeing following the introduction of the default 20mph
speed limit. Earlier monitoring has also shown reductions in
vehicle speeds on monitored 20mph roads. However, these latest
statistics are provisional, quarterly figures can fluctuate, and
it remains important that we assess the evidence over a longer
period before drawing firm conclusions about long-term trends.
Our approach to road safety goes beyond speed limits. The Road
Safety Partnership Plan for Wales 20262040 is based on the Safe
System and Vision Zero, with an ambition to reduce road deaths by
40% by 2040. It emphasises shared responsibility across safer
roads, speeds, vehicles and road-user behaviour, alongside
effective post-collision response.
We are developing proactive, evidence-led speed management
combining engineering, engagement, education and proportionate
enforcement. This considers not only collision records but also
speeds, road characteristics, people walking and cycling, and
community concerns.
Our aim is the right speed on the right road, reflecting
evidence, local circumstances and community engagement, with
lower speeds particularly important where people and vehicles
mix.
We will continue evaluating the default 20mph speed limit and
working with highway authorities, police forces, GoSafe and other
partners to make Wales's roads and streets safer.
I thank our police forces and road safety partners for their
continued work, including collecting and recording the data that
informs our understanding of road safety.
There can be no complacency. Every death and serious injury on
our roads is one too many. Nevertheless, these latest figures are
a very welcome indication that Wales continues to move in the
right direction towards safer roads and communities.
