Speeding

Speeding is one of the most significant road safety risks in Great Britain. Drivers travelling above the speed limit, or too fast for the prevailing conditions, are more likely to be involved in a collision and are more likely to cause serious injuries when a collision occurs. Exceeding the speed limit and travelling too fast for conditions contributed to a significant proportion of fatal collisions in Great Britain.

Why is speeding dangerous?

Speed affects both the likelihood of a collision occurring and the severity of injuries when one happens. Drivers travelling at higher speeds have less time to identify hazards, react appropriately and stop safely. Higher speeds also increase stopping distances and reduce the margin for error.

Inappropriate speed includes:

• Driving above the posted speed limit
• Driving within the speed limit but too fast for conditions
• Failing to adjust speed for weather, visibility, traffic, pedestrians or road layout such as:

        Wet, icy or snowy roads

        Fog or poor visibility

        Busy residential streets

        School arrival and departure times

        Roads with high pedestrian or cyclist activity

The impact of speed on collisions and injuries

Even small increases in speed significantly increase risk.

Higher speeds mean:

• Less time to identify hazards
• Longer stopping distances
• More severe collisions
• Greater injury severity for vehicle occupants, pedestrians and cyclists

At 30mph, a vehicle travels around 44 feet (approximately three car lengths) every second. Increasing speed from 30mph to 35mph adds more than two car lengths to stopping distance in good conditions.

Pedestrian risk increases rapidly 

Research consistently shows pedestrian fatality risk rises sharply once vehicle speeds exceed around 30mph. A pedestrian struck at 30-40mph is several times more likely to be killed than one struck below 30mph.

Most casualties occur on lower-speed roads

Many people assume the greatest risk is on high-speed roads, but a large proportion of casualties occur on roads with speed limits of 30mph or less, where there are greater numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.

RoSPA's Top 10 tips for staying within the speed limit

Many motorists exceed speed limits unintentionally. Modern vehicles are quieter, smoother and more powerful than ever, making it easier to creep above the limit. 

1. Check your speedometer regularly

Particularly when moving from higher-speed roads onto lower-speed roads.

2. Know the limits

Pay attention to speed limit signs, especially at junctions where limits often change.

3. Remember street lights often indicate a restricted road

In built-up areas, street lighting usually indicates a 30mph limit unless signs show otherwise. However, some roads may now be 20mph.

4. Treat speed limits as a maximum, not a target

Conditions may require a lower speed. 

5. 20’s plenty when children are about

And may even be too fast. Adjust your speed, particularly near schools, parks and residential streets.

6. Use a suitable gear

Many drivers find it easier to maintain 30mph by remaining in a lower gear.

7. Recognise your speed triggers

Examples include:

• Keeping up with traffic
• Feeling pressured by tailgaters
• Overtaking
• Driving downhill

8. Avoid distractions

Drivers who are distracted often fail to monitor their speed effectively.

9. Slow down when entering villages

Reduce speed before reaching lower speed limit signs.

10. Give yourself enough time

Speeding rarely saves meaningful time and often increases stress and fuel consumption.

20mph zones and speed limits

20mph schemes are increasingly used to improve road safety, particularly in residential areas, around schools and in places with high levels of walking and cycling.

What's the difference?

20mph limits

• Signage only
• No physical traffic calming measures
• Most effective where existing speeds are already relatively low

20mph zones

• Use physical traffic calming features
• May include speed humps, chicanes and road narrowing
• Designed to be largely self-enforcing

Are 20mph schemes effective?

Research has shown that properly designed 20mph zones can:

• Reduce vehicle speeds
• Reduce collisions
• Reduce child casualties
• Improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists

RoSPA supports the wider introduction of both 20mph zones and 20mph limits where appropriate.

Speed cameras explained

Speed cameras are designed to reduce speeding, prevent collisions and save lives. They have been used in Great Britain since the early 1990s.

Types of speed camera

Fixed speed cameras

Permanent cameras installed at specific locations.

Mobile speed cameras

Operated by police forces and deployed at different locations. Average speed cameras calculate a vehicle's average speed between two points using number plate recognition technology.

Variable speed cameras

Often found on motorways and smart motorways where speed limits change according to traffic conditions.

AI-enabled road safety cameras

Newer systems can identify speeding, mobile phone use and seatbelt offences.

Do speed cameras work?

Evidence shows they do.

Studies have found that speed cameras are associated with reductions in:

• Average traffic speeds
• Vehicles exceeding speed limits
• Injury collisions
• Fatal and serious collisions

What happens if you're caught speeding?

The minimum penalty for speeding is typically:

• £100 fine
• Three penalty points on your licence

Depending on the circumstances:

• You may be offered a Speed Awareness Course
• Serious offences may result in prosecution
• Drivers can be disqualified if they accumulate 12 or more penalty points within a period of three years
• Newly qualified drivers face licence revocation if they reach 6 penalty points within the first two years of passing their driving test

Concerned about speeding in your community?

If speeding is a problem in your area, several organisations may be able to help.

Contact your local authority

Local councils are responsible for setting local speed limits and considering traffic management measures.

Report dangerous driving

• Call 999 if the incident is happening and poses an immediate danger
• Use 101 or your local police force's website for non-emergency reports 

Use dashcam evidence

Many police forces accept video evidence through schemes such as Operation SNAP.

Potential solutions

Highway authorities may consider:

• Speed surveys
• Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS)
• Speed Indicator Devices (SID)
• 20mph limits or zones
• Traffic calming measures
• Community Speed Watch schemes
• Safety camera enforcement where criteria are met  

Community Speed Watch

Community Speed Watch schemes enable trained volunteers to monitor vehicle speeds and submit data to local police forces.