Alarming figures show that over half of all drivers speed on 30mph roads

An “alarming” 54% of drivers broke the speed limit on 30mph roads last year, new figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) reveal.

The data suggests drivers are most likely to break speed limits on roads found in residential areas and those commonly shared with pedestrians and cyclists.

Motorways came next in the list of speeding hotspots, with 50% of drivers putting their foot down to reach speeds over 70mph. Just 9% of motorists broke the speed limit on 60mph roads.

Of those who broke 30mph limits, a fifth of motorists hit speeds over 35mph, while 6% were caught travelling at 40 mph or higher.

The average speed across 30mph zones was 31mph.

The DfT highlighted that stats for 20mph roads – where 86% of cars were found to exceed the speed limit– should be “interpreted with additional caution”.

Automatic traffic monitoring equipment was used on roads with added traffic calming measures, including narrow lanes and speed bumps, making them unrepresentative of 20mph limits in general.

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “These statistics are alarming.

“We know that during the days of strict lockdown there was a real prevalence of speeding in built-up areas. Breaking speed limits is illegal and puts everyone using the road in danger. It’s vital the Government’s review into road policing addresses the elephant in the room – a lack of enforcement.”

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Statistics from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) show that speeding contributes to 11% of all injury collisions reported to the police; 13% of crashes resulting in a serious injury and 21% of collisions that result in a death.

In 2018, the UK recorded 186 deaths from accidents involving someone exceeding the speed limit. Another 112 people died when someone was travelling too fast for the conditions.¹

Road Safety Minister Baroness Vere said: “Speeding is illegal, reckless and puts people's lives at unnecessary risk. That is why there are tough penalties and strict enforcement measures in place for those who disobey the law.

“We know it's just as crucial though to change attitudes that lead to dangerous driving.”

Just last week road safety charity Brake proposed a phased driver licensing system which could see young drivers subjected to curfews and banned from carrying passengers.

How do you feel about these figures? Let us know in the comments if you've noticed speeders on 30mph roads near you.