Drivers who are “genuinely confused” won’t be fined for exceeding the new default 20mph speed limit in Wales, according to the first minister.

The limit, introduced as a default in built-up areas on 17 September, has been met with controversy.

A petition calling for the policy to be scrapped became the most-signed on the Senedd’s website since records began.

Mark Drakeford told a news conference on Monday that police will aim to educate those unaware of the change.

“I think if police find somebody driving above 20mph and the reason is because they are genuinely confused about that then that’s why the police will always start with education and conversation,” he said.

“I don’t think in those circumstances of genuine confusion the police will move to enforcement.

“If there are examples, genuine examples, of where people just have misunderstood that this piece of road that they are on is now a 20mph limit, then I think that will be resolved through the way that police intend to respond.

“But it would need to be genuine confusion, wouldn’t it? Rather than just a claim to be confused.”

Both candidates in the running to succeed Mark Drakeford as first minister have committed to bringing forward a review into the policy.

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Mr Drakeford said it was right that the limit was now being enforced.

“I don’t think that a further delay in enforcement would have been the right thing to do,” he added.

“We’re proceeding on exactly the plan that we set out at the start.

“People have had the whole of the autumn simply to get used to the new policy and, as you’ve heard, the intention of enforcement authorities is to continue to do so on the basis of engagement.”