Driving instructors blast council for 20mph confusion
Richard Evans, local democracy reporter
An association of driving instructors has claimed that confusing signage following the introduction of the new 20 mph default speed limit last month, could cause an accident.
The organisation has written to Denbighshire council complaining 30mph signs have been removed but not replaced in Rhyl, causing confusion over the new speed limit.
North Wales Approved Driving Instructors Association has written to the council’s traffic, parking, and road safety manager, insisting the issue could result in an accident.
In a letter signed by its chairman Arthur Carpenter, treasurer Christine Seldon, and secretary Ted Needham, the association claims speed limits in Rhyl are not marked clearly – and cheekily suggest the council sets up a JustGiving page to replace signs if it is struggling financially.
Unclear
The association claims that 30mph signs have been removed but not replaced with new 20mph signs since the Welsh Government legislation came in on 17 September.
“A month has elapsed from the change to mandatory speed limits by the Senedd on 17 September 2023, and it is unfortunate that the speed limits in Rhyl remain unclear,” the letter reads.
“We note that the majority of speed limit signs in Rhyl have been removed, presumably by DCC. Currently, the A525 30mph speed limit sign just before the Sainsburys/B&Q roundabout in Rhyl mandates the speed limit for the A525 and surrounding roads into Rhyl onto Wellington Road.
“The removal of the 20 mph signs before Ysgol Tir Morfa and Ysgol Gatholig Crist Y Gair mean that the mandatory speed limit next to both schools is 30 mph.
“This certainly contravenes the Senedd guidance, jeopardises road safety, and it is arguable that Denbighshire County Council and responsible individuals may be liable for adverse road traffic incidents.”
The letter added, “DCC should now have a surfeit of speed limit signs that could be used for this purpose, including those that have been recently removed. As the Welsh Government have released funds to implement the changes, funding the installation of the signs should not be a barrier; however, if there is a funding shortfall, then a JustGiving appeal in the interests of road safety should remedy this.”
A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council said: “We are currently working with our signage contractors to correct any errors or omissions with speed limit signage, following the introduction of the default 20mph speed limit. We are aware of the signage anomalies referred to and are trying to get these resolved as a matter of urgency.”
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I am surprised by how many are so easily confused. Perhaps they should all take a few more driving lessons.
Too often this situation created by the Senedd is confusing.
There is no excuse for such poor planning and administration. Professional driving instructors are seriously concerned about the safety of motorists, especially inexperienced learner-drivers who obviously ARE taking driving lessons on these now often baffling roads.
The anti-motoring bilge one reads in the NT is practically deranged in its malevolent fanaticism.
It’s actually quite simple, and if they’d read their Highway Codes, or even the back of a bus,(yes, the Senedd has commissioned a series of ads for the back of buses – I saw several yesterday) they would be aware that, unless otherwise stated, where there is street lighting the default speed limit of 20mph will apply.
Totally agree , I think they should have cameras in their cars and annual competency tests .
They are the people putting forward for the test. They are teaching them to pass a test seems driving is a long way down the list. Why is night driving and motorways not part of the test.
Are their failures recorded against them , if not why not. High failure rates should mean they need to be retrained.
Yes the failure rates are logged against the instructors. Theres no confusion really, it’s the public that aren’t accepting the new speed limit. So in a built up area ,unless otherwise stated, the speed limit is 20moh What’s confusing about that !!!!
And extra driving lessons will help spot speed limit signs that are not there will they t oss er
There’s a growing belief that opposition to the Drakeconian 20mph speed limit is somehow an endorsement of the Tories and supposed far-right affiliations. There’s a reason why over 400,000 people signed that petition. People hate the new speed limit. I suspect ⅔ of the entire population is against this new law. Most people just couldn’t be bothered to sign the petition. Why don’t the senedd focus on the scandal that is Betsi Cadwaladr health board?
Next election we will just have a petition for the next government then petition every policy.
I rather suspect that many sign ups are cos so and so said so on book of face and heck, I have 11 email addresses, lets get busy. Love to know how many IP dresses could possibly be tied back to say far right newspapers or Tory HQ.
But they will discuss it. Doesn’t mean they will approve it. Same for the UK Gov petitions.
If driving instructors are confused they should retire.
I have a question everyone should be able to answer including driving instructors. Are driving instructors allowed to cross over into the oncoming lane of moving traffic to pass a cyclist and force drivers to break hard. Got this one on dash cam Kelvin
48% of learners pass first time
Dripford needs to go he’s nuts
I think that Wales Online is probably more your sort of thing.