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Over half of drivers admit to breaking speed limit on motorways

Over half of drivers admit to breaking speed limit on motorways

Figures from the RAC Report on Motoring show that 58 per cent of more than 3,000 motorists surveyed favour ‘average speed cameras’, despite more than half admitting to breaking motorway speed limits. 

The RAC highlighted the following statistics:

  • 56 per cent admit to breaking the speed limit on motorways.
  • 34 per cent confessed to have travelled at speeds in excess of 80mph.
  • 3 per cent say their fastest speed on a motorway was over 100mph.
  • 27 per cent claim to have driven at 81-90mph.
  • 66 per cent state their highest speed on a motorway was 71-80mph.
  • When asked why they broke the speed limit on a motorway, 39 per cent said they were following the example set by other motorists.
  • 26 per cent reported exceeding the limit due to feeling pressure from other drivers behind. 

Currently, motorway use of average speed cameras is reserved for sections of roadworks. Interestingly, whilst a majority (54 per cent) of drivers would prefer average speed cameras on motorways, only 25 per cent would choose them for 20-30 MPH roads. Fixed position cameras were preferred by 43 per cent 20-30 MPH roads, and 21 per cent would prefer police officers operating mobile speed traps. 

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said, “Despite more than half of drivers admitting to regularly exceeding the 70-mph speed limit, road safety statistics clearly show that motorways are our safest roads.

“With so many motorists admitting to driving much faster than they should on the motorway, it was interesting to see such strong support for average speed cameras to be used more widely to enforce the 70-MPH limit as opposed to just in roadworks, as is currently the case. We believe drivers see these cameras as being very effective at reducing speeds over longer distances and controlling traffic flow as well as being fairer than fixed position ones as they aren’t instantly punished for a momentary transgression.

“Our research shows speed limit compliance on all types of road has improved on previous years, but as our study was carried out during the pandemic we suspect this has partly been brought about by the reduction in the number of journeys carried out for the purposes of commuting – or for other business purposes – where drivers feel greater time pressure and may be more tempted to break the law by speeding.”

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