An investigation has revealed that over 30,000 motorists were caught driving at 30 mph or faster on 20 mph roads in the UK last year. The figures, obtained by the RAC through Freedom of Information requests to 45 police forces, with 34 responding, highlight significant speeding offenses.
Some of the recorded speeds were extreme. One driver was clocked at 89 mph on a 20 mph stretch of the B5129 in Deeside, North Wales. Another was traveling at 114 mph in a 30 mph zone near a primary school in Aylestone, Leicestershire. The fastest speed recorded by police forces nationwide was 161 mph, with incidents occurring on the A5 in Bayston Hill, Shropshire, and the southbound M6 between Stoke and Stafford.
Across 28 responding forces, 32,548 motorists were caught driving at 30 mph or more on 20 mph roads, which is at least 50 percent above the legal limit. Additionally, 271,341 motorists were recorded driving at 40 mph or more on 30 mph roads across 33 forces.
The rollout of 20 mph speed limits is becoming more prevalent across the UK. Wales has adopted a default 20 mph limit in built-up areas, and the Scottish Government intends to implement similar limits where appropriate. In England, 62 out of 153 local authorities have introduced these lower speed limits, with more than half of London's boroughs now covered by 20 mph restrictions, a policy championed by Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
Speed is identified as a primary contributor to fatal collisions on Great Britain's roads. Official data for 2024 indicates that speed was a factor in 58 percent of fatal collisions, with drivers exceeding the speed limit contributing to 20 percent of all such crashes. In 2024, 185 lives were lost in collisions where speeding played a role.
Previous RAC research indicated that four out of five drivers regularly witness excessive speeding on 20 mph and 30 mph roads, and 55 percent believe there is a pervasive 'culture of speeding' in the UK. The RAC found that 55 percent of drivers support measures to combat excessive speeding.
The Government's road safety strategy, published in January, aims to reduce road casualties by 65 percent by 2035 and includes proposals for new guidance to councils on setting speed limits. However, the RAC emphasizes the need for a focused effort on tackling the most dangerous drivers, particularly those who engage in excessive speeding and habitual offenses, especially on roads with lower speed limits.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis stated that despite speeding being a factor in an increasing number of fatal collisions, some individuals remain unaware of the severe risks associated with driving too fast. He noted that over 300 fatal collisions in a single year were linked to speeding, which are largely avoidable as speeding is a driver's choice. Dennis expressed anticipation for the Government's response to consultations on the Road Safety Strategy, highlighting that while new casualty reduction targets and updated guidance for local authorities are welcome, a stronger focus on tackling excessive speeding and repeat offenders is crucial.