Half of drivers break 30mph speed limits - RAC reaction

Following the publication of new government data on speed limit compliance, RAC head of policy Simon Williams said:

“It’s concerning to see that every year half of drivers exceed the limit on 30mph roads, with more than a fifth (22%) last year driving more than five miles an hour too fast. 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.

“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.”

For more research on speeding – including reasons drivers give for exceeding different speed limits – please see the latest page on the Report on Motoring: https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/features/the-dangers-on-our-roads-2022/