Speeding on local roads raises safety concerns, as RAC reveals alarming data
Calls are being made for tougher measures as drivers hit excessive speeds in residential areas
Last updated 23 hours ago
New data analysed by the RAC highlights widespread and alarming instances of excessive speeding on UK roads, prompting urgent calls for tougher measures to improve road safety.
The findings, obtained through a Freedom of Information request to UK police forces, reveal that over 33 police force areas caught a staggering 271,341 drivers speeding at 40mph or more on roads designated with a 30mph limit last year.
Similar levels of excessive speeds were noted on 20mph roads.
Eye-catching incidents include a driver clocked at 89mph on a 20mph stretch in Deeside, north Wales, and another at 114mph on a 30mph road close to a primary school in Aylestone, Leicestershire.
Whilst in the South West, on the same 30mph limit roads, a speed of 95mph was recorded at around 3pm by a driver in Burnham-on-Sea.
RAC's analysis of police data also highlighted instances of speeding in residential areas during the day, such as 64mph in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and 60mph in Southport, Merseyside.
They also found even faster speeds in the middle of the night, including 72mph in Holland Park in London and 68mph on the B3122 in south Bristol.
The highest overall speed recorded was 161mph on the A5 in Bayston Hill, Shropshire and on the M6 southbound between Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford.
Speeding continues to be a significant factor in fatal collisions in Great Britain, with the latest data showing that speed was responsible for most such incidents in 2024. The RAC calls for prioritising the reduction of instances of excessive speeding, especially on roads with lower speed limits, and tackling repeat offenders.
Highest speeds recorded by police forces on 20mph and 30mph roads
In our region, the RAC has shared data collated through their FOI request about the highest speeds recorded by forces on roads with 20mph and 30mph limits in their respective regions:
- Dorset: 43mph on a 20mph road and 90mph on a 30mph road
- Wiltshire: 44mph on a 20mph road
- West Midlands: 51mph on a 20mph road and 111mph on a 30mph road
- Devon and Cornwall: 60mph on a 20mph road and 87mph on a 30mph road
- Avon and Somerset: 68mph on a 20mph road and 95mph on a 30mph road
RAC senior policy officer, Rod Dennis, said: “Our analysis shows some of the frankly chilling speeds some people are prepared to drive at – and these are just the cases the police are aware of. Such roads will almost certainly be well used by pedestrians and cyclists, so it doesn’t bear thinking about what travelling at such high speeds could have led to.”
The RAC has responded to recent Government consultations following the publication of a new Road Safety Strategy. The strategy aims to reduce road casualties significantly by 2035 and highlights the need to address excessive speeding.
Rod Dennis advocates for introducing Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance technology, which can prevent a vehicle from exceeding the speed limit, to reduce dangerous driving practices.
Chief Constable Jo Shiner, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing, also emphasised the need to address the issue, stating: “We must reset expectations and make it clear that safe, lawful driving is a shared responsibility.”
You can read more about the data on the RAC website.