New statistics, which show that half of car drivers exceeded the speed limit on 30mph roads during 2022, have been described by the RAC as “concerning”.
The Government statistics measure speed and compliance at sites where the road conditions are ‘free flowing’ – for example roads with no junctions, hills, sharp bends, speed enforcement cameras or other traffic calming measures.
They show that 50% of car drivers exceeded 30mph limits in 2022, compared to 51% the previous year.
Of those who exceeded the limit, 17% did so by more than 5mph.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: “It’s concerning to see that every year half of drivers exceed the limit on 30mph roads.
“The implications of speeding on these roads is likely to be greater than on faster roads, not least as they’re generally in areas with more pedestrians and cyclists.”
The RAC argues there could be a case for repeater signs in 30mph areas.
Simon Williams added: “One possible explanation for why speed limit compliance is so much worse compared to other roads is that drivers may be used to looking for speed limit signs, which are much less prevalent on 30mph roads as generally speaking the presence of streetlights indicates the limit is 30mph.
“While drivers should know this, perhaps there is a case for the use of more ‘repeater’ signs in 30mph areas so there is no doubt.”
The DfT data also shows that 45% of drivers exceeded the speed limit on motorways in 2022 – compared to 48% in 2021 and 53% in 2020.
Meanwhile on National Speed Limit (NSL) single carriageways, the figure for 2022 was 11% – the same as in 2021.
As it is widely known that speed enforcement allows 10% + 2 before prosecution, in my experience drivers don’t believe it is an offence to drive at 34 or below in a 30 limit. These figures above support this as 32% are travelling up to 5mph over the limit as they know they will not be ‘caught’ for travelling at these speeds.
In Court cases I have dealt with drivers who have pleaded not guilty to driving at 35 mph and stated in their defence they were only doing 33mph. They are then stunned when found guilty of the speeding offence as they don’t understand the offence is exceeding a 30mph limit.
Sharon Hilton, Warwickshire
+2
Not so much the speed limits are ‘inappropriately low’ perhaps, but that the standard of 50% of drivers is inappropriately low…..50% make the effort seemingly – 50% don’t. Similarly, ‘drivers tend to drive at speeds they consider safe and appropriate..’ this is too much of a generalisation..again, some do, some don’t. It’s some of the drivers using our roads who are the weakest link, not the regulations.
Hugh Jones, Cheshire
--4
Has the RAC not considered that some speed limits may be inappropriately low? Drivers tend to drive at speeds they consider safe and appropriate for the location. Speed limits are often set by local councillors who are trying to get reelected by pleasing heir voters and completely ignore the wider population who uses their bit of the nation’s roads
Robert Bolt, St Albans
+2