Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy is concerned that data appears to show an increase in the number of people who have been killed or seriously injured on Welsh roads following the introduction of the 20mph policy.
A Welsh protest group has called for an urgent review of the Welsh Government’s analysis after the Welsh Government claimed casualties from crashes in Wales had reduced since the 20mph implementation.
The group analysed official accident data from Welsh Police forces between 2022 and 2024 and revealed that there were 2 deaths in Q4 2022 in 20mph, whilst this increased to 7 deaths in Q4 2023, an increase of 250%.
Additionally, there were 9 people seriously injured in Q4 2022 in 20mph, whilst this increased to 92 seriously injured people in Q4 2023, an increase of 922%.
Commenting on this Janet said:
“This is deeply concerning data. I absolutely agree that this is only a snapshot and more data is needed to be able to draw a concrete conclusion.
“However, this preliminary data clearly shows that over the period where 20mph was introduced that our roads did indeed become more dangerous.
“This data is taken from the Welsh Government so I am also concerned as to why this has been kept under wraps, and indeed, why the Government is claiming that our roads are now safer. The 20mph speed limit is a very contentious issue and it is important that we give a clear picture as to the consequences of the policy.
“I hope that that Welsh Government seriously look at this data and the 20mph policy more widely. A large number of my constituents are in opposition to it and given the story this data is telling us, clearly their views are well founded.”
ENDS
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, Aelod o’r Senedd dros Aberconwy yn poeni ei bod yn ymddangos bod data'n dangos cynnydd yn nifer y bobl sydd wedi cael eu lladd neu eu hanafu'n ddifrifol ar ffyrdd Cymru ers cyflwyno'r polisi 20mya.
Mae grŵp protest yng Nghymru wedi galw am adolygiad brys o ddadansoddiad Llywodraeth Cymru ar ôl i Lywodraeth Cymru honni bod llai o anafiadau o ganlyniad i ddamweiniau yng Nghymru ers gweithredu'r polisi 20mya.
Dadansoddodd y grŵp ddata damweiniau swyddogol gan heddluoedd Cymru rhwng 2022 a 2024 a datgelodd fod dwy farwolaeth ym mhedwerydd chwarter 2022, tra bod hyn wedi cynyddu i 7 marwolaeth ym mhedwerydd chwarter 2023, cynnydd o 250%.
Yn ogystal, cafodd 9 o bobl eu hanafu'n ddifrifol ym mhedwerydd chwarter 2022, tra cynyddodd hyn i 92 o bobl wedi’u hanafu’n ddifrifol ym mhedwerydd chwarter 2023, cynnydd o 922%.
Wrth sôn am hyn, dywedodd Janet:
“Mae’r data hwn yn destun cryn bryder. Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr mai braslun yn unig yw hwn ac mae angen mwy o ddata i allu dod i gasgliad pendant.
“Fodd bynnag, mae'r data cychwynnol hwn yn dangos yn glir bod ein ffyrdd wedi dod yn fwy peryglus dros y cyfnod lle cyflwynwyd 20mya.
“Daw’r data hwn o ddata Lywodraeth Cymru felly rwy'n poeni hefyd pam mae hyn wedi cael ei gadw’n ddistaw, ac yn wir, pam mae'r Llywodraeth yn honni bod ein ffyrdd yn fwy diogel erbyn hyn. Mae'r terfyn cyflymder 20mya yn fater dadleuol iawn ac mae'n bwysig ein bod yn rhoi darlun clir o ganlyniadau'r polisi.
“Gobeithio y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru’n edrych o ddifrif ar y data hwn a'r polisi 20mya yn ehangach. Mae nifer fawr o’m hetholwyr yn ei wrthwynebu ac o ystyried y darlun y mae'r data hwn yn ei gyfleu, mae’n amlwg bod sail ddilys i'w barn.”
DIWEDD
