Data released by the Department for Transport (DfT) shows that speeding under free-flowing traffic conditions, with no speed cameras, has decreased since 2018.
43% of drivers on 30mph roads exceeded the speed limit last year, compared to 51% in 2018, with numbers decreasing each year since 2020.
On motorways, the DfT found that 44% of drivers were speeding, compared to 50% in 2018, while the figures for National Speed Limit single carriageways were 9% in 2024, and 11% in 2018.
This followed the introduction of mandatory speed limiters or speed warning devices in all new cars last year.
‘Free flowing traffic conditions’ are defined as sections of roads with no hills, junctions, sharp corners, or speed cameras – smart motorways are excluded from this.
In 2024, speeding was most common across all road types between 6pm and 5am the following day, with 70% of cars exceeding the speed limit on 30mph roads at 5am.
Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Excessive speed is one of the biggest causes of fatalities on our roads, which resulted in more than 300 deaths in 2023.
“These latest figures on speed compliance paint an improving picture on 30mph-limited roads. However, the proportion exceeding 20mph limits remains astonishingly high.
“This further shows that speed limit changes alone are not sufficient and that enforcement and traffic-calming measures in these zones are imperative.”
The DfT found that 76% of cars exceeded the speed limit in 20mph zones, although the sample size of ‘free flowing’ roads was much smaller, and excluded many residential streets, which make up the majority of 20mph zones.
Research released by the RAC in 2024 found 52% of drivers who admitted to breaking the speed limit in 20mph zones said that the speed limit was inappropriate for the road.
39% of drivers who admitted to speeding on motorways said they did so because they drive according to the speed of other road users.
Since 2011, speed awareness course attendance has increased by 139%, with fixed penalty notices increasing by 69% in the same period.
