More than half (52%) of car drivers speed in 30mph zones, leading to calls for concerted action to tackle speeding.
Latest government vehicle speed compliance statistics published this week show that in 2018, under free-flowing traffic conditions, 52% of car drivers exceeded the speed limit on 30mph roads compared to 46% of cars on motorways and 10% on 60mph roads.
The research also found that 5% of car drivers exceeded the speed limit by more than 10mph on 30mph roads, with this rising to 11% on motorways and falling to 1% on 60mph roads.
For all vehicle types, compliance tended to be highest on national speed limit single carriageways and lowest on 30mph roads.
The figures have led the AA to highlight again how important it is that police forces have the necessary roads policing resource.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “More than half of drivers (52%) exceeding 30 mph speed limits on local roads is extremely concerning.
“Speed kills, so drivers should remember that lower limits on residential roads and are there for a very important reason.
“The next Prime Minister can become a champion of road safety, by reversing the cut to cops in cars who not only act as a deterrent, but also catch and penalise those with a heavy right foot.”
Des Morrison, director of police and public sector contracts at DriveTech, echoed the AA’s calls and also said more action needs to be taken: “The speed awareness courses already in place across most of the country help educate and positively change behaviours (DfT Report May 2018). We need to work in partnership to reduce the number of killed and seriously injured on UK roads, with speed being one of the key contributing factors to many crashes. These statistics indicate a high propensity to speed, with over 50% speeding in 30mph areas.”
