Worst areas for breaking the speed limit in the UK

Who is most compliant?

Based on the data collected between April 2021 and March 2022, the research looks at which counties are most likely to stick to the speed limit and which are most likely to exceed it.

The areas most likely to comply with the speed limit, including the small percentage of drivers who do speed and exceed the limit are:

• North Yorkshire – 3.05%
• Northamptonshire – 3.94%
• Durham – 4.43%
• Central Scotland – 4.9%
• Lincolnshire – 5.02%

Who is least compliant?

The areas and the percentage of people who exceed the speed limit in these areas include:

• Grampian, Scotland – 12.65%
• Strathclyde, Scotland – 12.34%
• London (Metropolitan Police area) – 11.83%
• Merseyside – 10.39%
• Cleveland – 9.75%

Why is speed compliance so important?

Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year due to failure to comply with speed limits. To tackle the issue, the Government launched its ‘Is pushing it worth it?’ campaign in March 2023. Its aim is to raise awareness of the risks of speeding and driving too fast for the road conditions, particularly on rural roads. Using video displaying different scenarios of young people breaking the speed limit, running across a variety of marketing channels, the campaign urges young drivers to consider how their behaviour can not only impact their own lives, by the lives of others.

Whilst injury prevention is of high importance, RoadPeace concentrates on the post-crash response by the justice system, hoping to see lessons learnt from the loss of loved ones. Their campaigns focus on reforming driving offences to hold drivers accountable for the risk they pose, advocating towards thorough investigations of road deaths, and improving the rights of road traffic victims to access information and representation on their case.

Despite these vital efforts, speeding is still seen as an acceptable risk for many. The data now available provides local authorities and police forces with intelligence, helping them place preventative crash measures in place to limit speeding.

Through campaigns, data, and the work of those fighting for justice for road collision victims, such as RoadPeace, we hope to reduce the number of lives torn apart by such preventative causes.

Nick Simmons, CEO of RoadPeace said:

“Speeding is a major contributory factor in the majority of collisions on our roads – it shatters lives, destroys families and communities live in fear of it – so why don’t we see speeding as the antisocial epidemic that it is? “We hope by sharing the stories of some of our members, whose lives have been torn apart by speeding drivers, who have courageously told their stories, that people will think twice before putting their foot down. Speeding is selfish, unfair and it puts so many lives at risk.”

What to do if you’re involved in a road traffic collision?

Whether a motor vehicle driver or passenger, cyclist or pedestrian, all road users are at risk of injury. In such a stressful and frightening time, you need personal injury solicitors you can trust to help you through the process. Our expert team understands this challenging time and is on hand throughout to ensure you get the compensation, rehabilitation and support you need.

We work closely with RoadPeace, and other charities and organisations, so you know you have people advocating for your wellbeing. If you have been involved in a road traffic collision, contact us today online or by calling 0330 041 5869.