Driver compliance with speed limits has slightly improved but half of motorists still break the limit on 30mph roads.

Only half of vehicles stuck to the 30mph limit, according to the DfT stats

New Department for Transport data now out for 2022 shows 50% of cars exceeded the 30mph limit, broadly in line with similar years and rising to 51% of vans. The data also shows that more than a fifth (22%) of car drivers last year drove more than 5mph over the limit on 30mph roads.

Overall, speed limit compliance was slightly higher than 2021, where lower levels of compliance may be partly attributed to the impact of the pandemic on lower traffic levels.

But compliance was broadly similar to pre-pandemic levels between 2011 and 2019.

In 2022 the percentage of car drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 10mph was much lower than overall speeding, at 8% on motorways, 5% on 30mph roads and 1% on National Speed Limit (NSL) single carriageway roads (where the speed limit for cars is 60mph).

Car and motorcycle speed limit compliance levels tended to be highest on NSL single carriageways and lowest on 30mph roads.

The average car speed, under free flow conditions, was just under the speed limit on motorways (69mph), at the speed limit for 30mph roads (30mph) and under the speed limit on NSL single carriageway roads (51mph).

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said it was concerning to see that every year half of drivers exceed the limit on 30mph roads.

“The implications of speeding on these roads is likely to be greater than on faster roads, not least as they’re generally in areas with more pedestrians and cyclists.

“One possible explanation for why speed limit compliance is so much worse compared to other roads is that drivers may be used to looking for speed limit signs, which are much less prevalent on 30mph roads as generally speaking the presence of streetlights indicates the limit is 30mph. While drivers should know this, perhaps there is a case for the use of more ‘repeater’ signs in 30mph areas so there is no doubt.”

The AA also said that with almost five people each day killed on our roads, it is important that drivers respect the speed limits.

Edmund King, AA president, added: “The worrying thing is that half of all car drivers exceeded the limit on 30mph roads in 2022 where arguably pedestrians, cyclists and other road users are most at risk.

“Similarly, car drivers staying the right side of a 20mph road was around 15%. While 20mph zones are well intended, there are concerns that a blanket approach dilutes their effectiveness. Last month, more than half of drivers (53%) told us they felt 20mph roads work best when they applied to the streets of significant community importance such as schools and GP surgeries. However, speeds in 20mph zones were lower than in 30mph zones so overall they do reduce speed.”

King added: “What stands out in particular is tailgating: a fifth of cars don’t observe the two-second gap between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. Having more cops in cars would help tackle this issue.”

Martin Usher, partner in personal injury at Lime Solicitors, also commented on the need for further action to cut speeding.

“There is a persistent issue with speed compliance in the UK. Each year, the patterns of driving behaviours are consistent with previous years, and this is simply not acceptable. Through my work, I witness every day the devastating consequences of speeding and it concerns me deeply to note the findings on motorways and the high percentage of drivers exceeding speed limits on 30mph roads.

“Each statistic is more than a number – it represents individuals, families, and moments forever altered. Speeding is not just a violation of the law; it’s a risk to human lives, and every increase in speed exponentially increases the severity of injuries in accidents.

“More needs to be done by the government in terms of legislation, infrastructure improvements, and public awareness campaigns. We need further investments in road safety measures and ensuring that speed limits are both appropriate and enforced.

“Saying that, we must not forget that we all have a role to play here. It starts with individual responsibility – being aware of our driving habits, respecting speed limits, and understanding the real-world consequences of our actions. Adhering isn’t just about avoiding fines; it’s about ensuring the safety of everyone on the road.

“Every life lost or affected by a speed-related incident is one too many. We all need to come together to make a tangible difference.”