Thousands of families from the West Midlands are heading to Wales this summer for holidays, drawn by record-breaking heatwaves and popular seaside spots. However, drivers face a heightened risk of being caught speeding once they cross the border, as Welsh police forces enforce speed limits more rigorously than their English counterparts.
Speeding Enforcement in Wales Significantly Tougher
New figures show that between 2023 and 2025, North Wales Police issued 91,205 speeding tickets in 20mph zones – the highest of any force in the UK. This tally is over 30,000 more than the next highest, Avon and Somerset Police. Gwent Police, also in Wales, ranked fifth with over 8,300 tickets. The 20mph zones have been controversially rolled out across much of Wales in recent years, catching out drivers unfamiliar with the lower limits.
Marked police speed camera vans are a common sight on Welsh roads, and speed cameras are more prevalent. Many motorists return from a family trip to find a speeding ticket waiting at home. Data previously obtained by BirminghamLive shows that more than 2,000 drivers from the West Midlands are caught speeding in Wales each year on average.
West Midlands Police Enforcement Remains Low
In contrast, speeding enforcement in the West Midlands remains low relative to its population. West Midlands Police recorded 242,337 speeding offences – only about 20,000 more than neighbouring West Mercia, despite the West Midlands having roughly three times the population. This disparity means drivers from the region may be less accustomed to strict enforcement.
Ben Welham, motoring expert at Marshall Motor Group, said: “Most 20mph and 30mph roads pass through residential areas, town centres and routes where pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users are more likely to be present. While speeding can happen on any type of road, lower speed limits are usually introduced because of the environment surrounding them and the increased likelihood of people sharing the space. Many drivers associate speeding with motorways or major A-roads, but these figures show it remains a significant issue on roads where lower limits are often in place to reduce risk in busier, more built-up areas.”
Popular Seaside Destinations Affected
North Wales includes popular seaside destinations such as Rhyl, Llandudno and Barmouth, where 20mph zones are in force. Drivers heading to these spots should be especially vigilant. The warning comes as thousands of West Midlands families prepare for summer getaways, with many unaware of the stricter enforcement policies across the border.
