The consequences are dire.
In a nation known for its polite queuing and tea-drinking, one thing Brits aren’t holding back on is their heavy-footed driving. A startling 81 per cent of drivers say they regularly witness others hurtling down the road like they’re auditioning for a Fast & Furious sequel, according to a new RAC report.
From motorways to residential streets, it’s a free-for-all, the data suggests. While 82 per cent of drivers spot excessive speeding on motorways and dual carriageways, a whopping 80 per cent say even 30 mph and 20 mph zones are fair game for speedsters. Considering government stats reveal that speeding contributed to 304 fatal collisions in 2023 – that’s 21 per cent of all such crashes – it’s clear the consequences are dire.
If you thought drivers were more mindful in slower zones, think again. The RAC’s findings show that 50 per cent of drivers admitted to breaking 20 mph speed limits, up from 46 per cent last year. This trend has been climbing for years; in 2018, only 36 per cent of drivers confessed to ignoring the 20 mph rule.
Bad habbits:
But it’s the motorways where the rubber really burns. Fifty-eight per cent of drivers say they’ve sped above 70 mph, a slight nudge from 57 per cent last year. Even on rural 60 mph roads and urban 30 mph streets, the numbers are inching up – 47 per cent and 42 per cent of drivers admit to pushing past the limit, respectively.
And let’s not forget the culture of “aim for the limit.” About 72 per cent of drivers try to drive as close to the speed limit as possible, but more than half (55 per cent) believe there’s an unspoken rule that breaking the limit is just part of driving.
“It’s concerning that our research indicates excessive speeding has become so commonplace because the consequences are very severe – a fact borne out by government data showing it contributes to 21 per cent of all fatal collisions. It is particularly worrying that so much excessive speeding observed by drivers appears to take place on 20 mph and 30 mph roads as this is where the greatest number of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders, are,” RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis commented.
Source:
RAC