Nearly half of all UK police forces have caught motorists driving at speeds exceeding 90mph (144km/h) on roads with 30mph limits, according to data from the RAC. The findings, based on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to 45 police forces, highlight an alarming trend of extreme speeding violations between January 2023 and August 2024.
The data, obtained from 40 police forces that responded, shows that 48% of forces recorded at least one driver exceeding three times the 30mph limit. Meanwhile, 90% of forces found vehicles traveling at 60mph or more in these restricted zones.
Alarming Speeds Recorded
The highest speed recorded on a 30mph road was a staggering 122mph in South Yorkshire, while the most extreme case of speeding on a 20mph road was logged in North Wales, where a driver was caught traveling at 88mph.
On motorways and high-speed roads, the highest recorded speed was 167mph on a 70mph stretch of the M1 in Leicestershire. The most significant difference between the posted speed limit and the actual speed recorded was in Somerset, where a motorist was clocked driving 161mph on a road with a 50mph limit.
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis described the figures as “shocking,” emphasizing the risks posed by such reckless driving.
“Although this data is a snapshot, it shines a light on the incredibly dangerous actions of a few, that are putting law-abiding road users at serious risk. Thankfully, the police were on hand to catch these drivers,” Dennis said.
Authorities Call for Action
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker expressed deep concern over the findings, calling for immediate action to curb reckless driving. “Too many people are being killed or seriously injured, and we need to act now,” he stated.
According to government data, excessive speed remains the leading contributing factor in fatal road collisions. In 2023 alone, speeding was responsible for 888 fatalities and played a role in more than 39,000 collisions of varying severity.
Extreme Speeding Trends
Beyond the latest figures, additional police data from 2019 to 2023 reveals that over 24,000 vehicles were caught on camera exceeding 100mph (161km/h). These incidents further reinforce concerns that some drivers are continuing to show blatant disregard for road safety laws.
The consequences of extreme speeding can be catastrophic. Research consistently shows that higher speeds significantly reduce a driver’s reaction time and increase the severity of crashes.
Experts warn that in urban areas, where speed limits are lower due to the presence of pedestrians and cyclists, driving at excessive speeds dramatically increases the likelihood of fatalities.
Calls for Tougher Enforcement
Safety advocates and law enforcement officials are urging for stricter measures to deter reckless driving. Proposals include increasing penalties for extreme speeding, deploying more speed cameras, and implementing greater police enforcement on high-risk roads.
As authorities continue to analyze the data and consider potential interventions, road safety organizations are emphasizing the need for a collective effort to promote responsible driving and reduce the number of preventable road deaths in the UK.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
