• Almost three quarter of motorists (72%) support the adoption of 20mph speed limits in urban areas everywhere
• 39% say they are happy to drive at 20 mph, and 33% that the lower limit makes roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians
• However, 19% believe the existing 30mph limit is already safe enough, shows August’s Startline Used Car Tracker

August’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows 39% are happy to drive at 20mph on urban roads, 33% believe the lower limit makes roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians, and 14% think it helps reduce pollution.

Also, 18% point to the example of Wales, where 20mph was made the default urban speed limit in 2023, and believe that move has helped reduce accidents and injuries.

However, 19% say the existing 30mph limit is already safe enough, 10% say 20mph limits are unnecessary in some urban areas, and 9% say 20mph just feels too slow.

This question was included in the Startline Used Car Tracker in response to the independent Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) encouraging the government to adopt 20mph speed limits in urban areas across the UK.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “Cutting the speed limit in Wales caused quite a lot of political noise and some people clearly felt strongly about it, but our research shows that extending its reach across the rest of the UK is very popular.

“People generally recognise the safety and environmental gains of driving more slowly in urban areas, and also believe the Welsh experience has been ultimately positive.

“Objections are relatively few, with just one in five saying that the existing 30mph limit is safe enough. Most people believe lower speeds will bring about measurable improvements.”

PACTS also wants to reduce limits on 60mph roads to 50mph, as well as 70mph dual carriageways to 60mph – and 62% of those surveyed in the Startline Used Car Tracker agreed this is a good idea.

Paul said: “While the support here is not quite as strong as the 20mph limit, it is still perhaps surprisingly high. Generally, it appears that a sizeable majority of motorists are quite happy to accept lower speeds.”

The Startline Used Car Tracker is compiled monthly for Startline Motor Finance by APD Global Research, well-known in the motor industry for their business intelligence reporting and customer experience programs. This time, 300 consumers and 60 dealers were questioned.