Petition calls for UK national speed limit to be cut to 30mph on rural roads

The petition, launched on the UK Parliament website by campaigner Rhiannon Vivian, argues that rural roads are the most dangerous in the country and that speed is the key factor.

Vivian said:

“Rural roads are the most dangerous roads for all kinds of driver and speed is the problem… I think the fact that drivers can legally do 60mph is absolute negligence and shows a disregard for human life.”

So far, the petition has attracted around 1,800 signatures. At 10,000 signatures the UK Government must issue a response, and at 100,000 it could be considered for debate in Parliament. The petition runs until 13 November 2025 and can be viewed here.

Echoes of Wales’ 20mph row

The proposal comes against the backdrop of Wales’ divisive 20mph default speed limit, introduced in 2023. That policy sparked the largest petition in Senedd history, with more than 438,000 people signing to demand its reversal.

Opposition parties including the Welsh Conservatives and Reform UK have continued to campaign against the 20mph law, branding it an unnecessary restriction on drivers. Ministers, however, insist polling shows a majority of people now support the change.

Safety data since the rollout has been mixed. While the number of road crashes in Wales has risen slightly in the past year, figures remain below pre‑20mph levels, suggesting some safety benefits. At the same time, compliance remains a challenge, with national monitoring showing more than eight in ten drivers still exceed the 20mph limit.

Local powers already exist

Unlike the blanket approach proposed in the petition, councils already have powers to lower speed limits on specific roads where safety concerns are identified. That means local authorities can act without the need for a wholesale change to the national speed limit.

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