Speeding offences on the rise despite harsher penalties
The number of speeding prosecutions has risen by almost 20% in the last five years despite the introduction of harsher financial penalties in 2017.
In the last five years, the number of speeding prosecutions has risen by almost 20%
Analysis by Churchill Car of Insurance of Ministry of Justice quarterly figures shows that the number of drivers caught for not obeying speed restrictions increased by 19% (189,109) between 2014 and 2018. And nearly 30,000 more drivers were proceeded against last year than in 2014 – the equivalent of 16 more every day.
That’s despite the introduction two years ago of a new penalty structure that means drivers convicted of the highest level of speeding can be fined 150% of their gross weekly income as well as receive six points or a disqualification of up to 56 days.
Churchill’s research also reveals that speeding cost Britain’s drivers a massive £162.5m in fines last year, with the average fine costing £222. The value of speeding tickets has increased by 24% (£179) since 2014.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.
