A new dragon-themed 20mph speed limit sign put up outside schools in Wales has been branded ‘dangerous’ by furious families who say the design cannot be read.
Opponents of last year’s controversial lowering of the limit from 30mph on many of the country’s roads claim the new signs are not clearly visible to drivers.
They say they look like a defaced version of the standard signs and only become clearer when motorists are almost upon them – defeating the object of slowing traffic to protect children.
Campaigners argue that these kind of signs, which were designed by schoolboy Noa Williams and have been installed close to schools across Wales, are dangerous and liable to make road safety worse rather than better.
The new signs, which has gone up in recent weeks, is based on the red dragon design that Noa came up with when winning a competition jointly held by the Welsh Government and Road Safety Wales.
A close-up view of the new dragon-style sign in Victoria Park Road, Barry, near Cadoxton Primary School which has been branded ‘dangerous’ by furious families who say the design cannot be read
The sign from a few yards away, which some people say is not clear to drivers and looks like it has been defaced
One of the standard new 20mph signs that have been installed across Wales. This one is in Vere Street, Barry
Maria Pitten said on social media: ‘I think it’s dangerous as it isn’t immediately obvious what it is saying so you need to really look at it. Just what you need around schools.’
Peter Ayton, also commenting on social media, said: ‘Are they just trying to catch car drivers? You could not make this up!’
According to the Labour-controlled Welsh Government, about £32million was spent on implementing the new go-slow law in villages, towns and cities in Wales.
The Government claims that about £92million per year could be saved by reducing the number of people hurt in accidents.
But critics claim the legislation is a ‘war on motorists’ and say it is not needed, not realistically enforceable and a huge waste of public money.
A petition against it was signed by 469,571 people before being handed in to the Welsh Parliament last month.
Another social media commentator, Ian Haskell, said of the new dragon-style signs: ‘Yet more money being wasted by the idiots in control’.
Some Welsh residents questioned the legality of the signs, with Paul Evans asking: ‘Could you contest that the 20 is not easy to understand as it’s not clear?’
Peter Campbell Davies said he could not see the point in putting up a speed limit sign that was not immediately clearly visible, calling the move ‘ridiculous’.
A 20mph sign is pictured covered in spray paint in North Cardiff
A woman holds a sign during a protest against 20mph speed limits on September 23, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales
: A man holds a sign during a protest against 20mph speed limits on September 23, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: ‘The Cabinet Secretary recognises the need to listen and learn from citizens.
‘The use of this particular image to promote safer speeds is part of the listening exercise being undertaken by the Welsh Government.
‘In the meantime, it is for local highway authorities to determine whether the use of this particular sign is appropriate. It is not designed as an alternative to formal speed limit signs and the use is a matter for councils.’
The Welsh Government says data published by Transport for Wales in February this year showed that speed had reduced by an average of 4mph on main roads since the change took effect on September 17, 2023.
Officials have been using an ‘engagement-focused approach’ to enforcement, with drivers caught going just over the new limit being given the choice of accepting ‘roadside engagement’ or points and a fine.
Since January there have been just 15 prosecutions after 49,363 vehicles were monitored, of whom 1,387 were exceeding the limit.