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Road rage could become more rife in Wales when 30mph zones drop down to 20mph.
The looming law has already sparked outrage with the rise of the red ribbon resistance – a movement drivers have joined as a visual protest against what's been branded a "barmy" Welsh Government scheme.
From September 17, speed limits are being lowered from 30mph to 20mph in built-up areas across Wales in the hope of reducing road deaths, cutting noise and encouraging more people to walk and cycle.
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But when one North Wales Live reporter tried it out in Rhyl, he sparked road rage when he was beeped at and overtaken.
Reporter, David Powell took a drive from Rhyl to Prestatyn at 30mph but then made the return journey at 20mph.
"Sure enough, a rather petulant Ford Focus driver overtook me on the Royal Alexandra Hospital straight with a guttural blast of his engine," he wrote.
David was also beeped at several times for causing a delay but there's going to be a lot more frustration for motorists under the new regime.
He said his return journey only took him 75 seconds longer.
Denbighshire Council's lead member for highways Cllr Barry Mellor said: "It will be hard to get used to the speed limit. I also think that after six or 12 months Welsh Government will take stock, have a look at how it's been run, and if it needs changes, they may allow more discretion on the 30mph exception roads."
For its part, the Welsh Government has previously said 20mph limits will cut road accidents and, in their first year of operation, save the NHS around £92 million. It said people are around five times more likely to be killed when hit at 30mph that at 20mph.
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But opponents claim the move will slow commutes, add pollution and cause economic damage. To push their message, social media groups are encouraging motorists to tie a red ribbon or flag to their cars, North Wales Live reports.
The gesture is a sarcastic reminder of the early days of motoring when a man with a red flag had to walk in front of slow-moving cars.
The UK’s Locomotive Act 1865 – known as the Red Flag Act – required any self-propelled road vehicle to be preceded by a person walking at least 60 yards ahead, carrying a red flag.
The Act followed lobbying from railway and horse-drawn carriage operators. It brought in the world’s first road speed limits – 4mph in rural areas, 2mph in towns and a £10 fine for “speeding”. According to one writer, the law “effectively stopped innovation in powered road transport in Britain for over a quarter of a century”.
Early adopters of the red ribbon campaign include Cardiff care assistant Jan Read. She supports 20mph limits on most residential streets but she said the default restriction was “needless and draconian”.
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“To throw down a blanket 20mph speed limit on the whole of Wales is barmy!” she said. “I find it’s also potentially dangerous. The threat of police stops and fines will force drivers to watch their speedos more than watching the road.
Red ribbon protests began in South Wales and within a day or two were being following by others in the north. Like others, Cardiff pensioner Mike Penn wants a referendum on a policy he labelled “dogmatic” and “lunacy”.
A public health study estimates 20mph speed limits will cause 40% fewer collisions, resulting in 6-10 lives saved and 1,200-2,000 people avoiding injury every year.
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