An investigation by the RAC has revealed that over 30,000 motorists were caught driving at 30mph or faster on roads with a 20mph speed limit in the UK last year. Some instances of excessive speeding were extreme, with one driver recorded at 89mph on a 20mph stretch of the B5129 in Deeside, North Wales.
Figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests to 45 UK police forces, with 34 responding, indicate that 32,548 motorists were cited for exceeding 30mph on 20mph roads. Additionally, across 33 forces, approximately 271,341 motorists were recorded driving at 40mph or more in 30mph zones.
These findings come as 20mph speed limits are being increasingly implemented across the UK. Wales has adopted a default 20mph limit in built-up areas, and the Scottish Government plans to implement similar measures where appropriate. In England, 62 out of 153 local authorities have adopted such policies, with over half of London's boroughs now covered by lower speed limits.
Speed is identified as a significant factor in fatal road collisions. Official data for 2024 shows that speed was a contributing factor in 58 percent of fatal collisions, with exceeding the speed limit playing a role in one-fifth of all such crashes. In 2024, 185 individuals died in collisions where speeding was a factor.
Previous RAC research suggested a widespread issue, with four out of five drivers reporting regularly witnessing excessive speeding on 20mph and 30mph roads. More than half of drivers believe there is a prevailing "culture of speeding" in the UK. Despite this, 55 percent of drivers support measures to combat excessive speeding.
The UK Government's road safety strategy, published in January, aims to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries by 65 percent by 2035 and includes proposals for updated guidance for councils on setting speed limits. However, the RAC emphasizes the need for a greater focus on addressing drivers who pose the highest risk, particularly those who drive at excessive speeds and habitual offenders.
"There is a lot of work to be done," said Rod Dennis, RAC senior policy officer. "Despite drivers and riders exceeding speed limits being a factor in an increasing number of fatal road collisions, it's clear that some people remain oblivious to the incredibly severe risk that driving too fast poses."
Dennis added that over 300 fatal collisions in a single year were linked to speeding, describing these as "entirely avoidable tragedies." The RAC is awaiting the government's response to consultations on the Road Safety Strategy and is calling for enhanced measures against excessive speeding and repeat offending.