Roadside course option ends for 20mph breaches

'EDUCATION' INITIATIVE FINISHES BUT ENFORCEMENT CONTINUES

- By RUTH MOSALSKI and STEVE BAGNALL

SINCE the introduction of the 20mph default speed limit in Wales, drivers caught breaching it have been offered an alternative to penalty points or an awareness course.

Operation Ugain was launched, offering drivers caught speeding a roadside course, instead of facing penalty points, a fine, or having to take a more extensive, expensive course.

This initiative was funded by the Welsh Government and run by Wales' four police forces, three fire services, 22 councils and the speed camera body GoSafe.

The teams were deployed in January 2024 and ran until March this year.

However, GoSafe has now announced that the scheme has ended, meaning the option to avoid a fine or a course no longer exists.

During its operation, statistics show that 371,315 vehicles were monitored, with 16,679 found to be exceeding the speed limit, indicating an average compliance rate of 96%.

Regarding how these drivers' offences were resolved, 99.2% of them were given an engagement session and 129 were prosecuted.