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Tougher penalties under M4 Variable Speed Limit Enforcement in Wales (26 July 2016)

Date: 26/07/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Tougher penalties under M4 Variable Speed Limit Enforcement in Wales

The Welsh Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates has announced that motorists who breach the Variable Speed Limit restrictions on the M4 motorway near Newport in South Wales will face tougher penalties.

A safety campaign has been launched to make drivers aware of M4 Variable Speed Limit Enforcement. The campaign launched on Monday (25/07/16) aims to ensure drivers are more aware of – and adhere to – the variable speed limits in place on the M4 between Junctions 24 (Coldra) and 28 (Tredegar Park), before enforcement action is stepped up.

The Welsh Government introduced a Variable Speed Limit along this stretch of road in 2011 as a means of reducing congestion and improving safety and journey time reliability.

Infrastructure and technology installed along the motorway between Junctions 24 and 28 monitors traffic flow and calculates the optimum speed limits for current traffic volumes.

The limits are lawfully displayed on the electronic Visual Message Signs [VMS] above lanes and at the sides of the road.

The Welsh government says that when vehicles travel at consistent and similar speeds, journey times become more predictable and congestion and queuing is reduced, as traffic continues to flow steadily and the risk of collisions from vehicles approaching the back of queues is reduced.

Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates, said:

“Since its launch the scheme has helped to improve traffic flow and reduce the number of collisions along this stretch, with the majority of drivers adhering to the limits in place.

“However, a minority of drivers continue to flout the displayed limits and act as if the restrictions do not apply to them, so it is these motorists we are primarily targeting with this awareness campaign and subsequent enforcement action.”

The campaign is being led by GoSafe, Wales’ Road Casualty Reduction Partnership and will consist of two stages – phase one will focus on an education and awareness drive, to alert motorists that tougher enforcement will shortly be coming into effect.

It will include publication of the number of offences captured on that stretch of motorway – and a grace period for drivers, during which those who exceed the stated limit will receive warning notices.

The second phase of will focus on enforcement – and those caught exceeding the speed limit displayed will be issued with a Notice of Intended Prosecution.

GoSafe Partnership Manager, Chris Hume, said:

“Managing the speed of traffic through this busy section of the M4 Motorway is vital – and proactive enforcement of the variable speed limit assists GoSafe in achieving its strategic goal to make people safer on Welsh roads by reducing casualties and saving lives.”

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