DFT announces latest number of UK speeding offences

44% of car drivers caught speeding on 30mph roads

The UK government has shared the nation’s vehicle speed compliance statistics for 2023. Although there has been a reduction in the number of drivers found guilty of speeding since 2022, there has been an increase in those attending speed awareness courses.

• 203,801 people were found guilty of speed limit offences in 2023 – that’s 8% down on 2022 but an increase of 85% since 2011
• 1.78 million drivers attended speed awareness courses in 2023 – that’s 9% up on 2022 and 131% up on 2011

While 44% of car drivers were caught exceeding the 30-miles-per-hour road speed limit in 2023, there were a number of other speeding offences recorded by vehicles of all types:

• 45% of cars were caught speeding on motorways (70mph is the motorway speed limit)
• 45% of vans were caught speeding on 30mph roads
• 47% of vans were caught speeding on motorways
• 51% of motorbikes were caught speeding on 30mph roads

Despite the above, it’s important to note there has been a slow decrease in the percentage of vehicles caught speeding on 30mph roads over the past five years (pandemic excluded) and relatively little change to driving habits on motorways.

When are most drivers caught speeding?

The government statistics state that most speeding takes place overnight or at weekends, which shows that lower levels of traffic tend to lead to higher speeds, regardless of the limits in place.

The analysis of the day of the year indicates there’s no real difference in the times people speed, despite seasonal factors including weather, events, holidays etc.

Speeding and road accidents

The government figures for reported road casualties in Great Britain in 2023 show there were an estimated:

• 1,645 fatalities – a decline of 4% compared to 2022
• 29,643 killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties – consistent compared to 2022
• 132,063 casualties of all severities – a decline of 3% compared to 2022

Although there is currently no data for how much excessive speed was a factor in the above, there is an analysis of road safety factors in 2022.

This information found excessive speed was a factor in 56% of the fatal collisions that occurred over the year and that Road Safety Factors were the most commonly assigned factors in 19% of fatal collisions.

The government is currently finalising the definition of Road Safety Factors (RSF) and Contributory Factors (CF) so this may amend reports in the future. The analysis from 2022 indicated that there was an average of 2.6 RSFs reported for every collision, highlighting the impact of speed as a factor in these fatal accidents.

Why do people speed?

The RAC Report on Motoring 2023 asked drivers who admit to speeding what their main reasons for the offence were:

• “I drive according to the speed of other road users” – 39% of those who admit to speeding on 70mph roads
• “Very few other vehicles and/or pedestrians on the road” – 31% of those who admit to speeding on 60mph roads
• “The speed limit is inappropriate for the road” – 50% of those who admit to speeding on on 20mph roads
• “I feel pressured by other drivers behind me” – 26% of those who admit to speeding on on 20mph roads
• “I don’t look at the speedometer frequently enough” – 26% of those who admit to speeding on on 30mph roads

How can speeding affect my insurance premium?

With speeding convictions staying on your record for at least four years, your insurance premiums are likely to increase. This rise will depend on a number of factors including age, type of vehicle and severity of your offence.

You need to inform your insurer about any points you receive from motoring offences. Failing to do so can invalidate your policy and lead to charges of insurance fraud.

Despite a number of initiatives aimed at reducing speeding and technology including speed cameras, variable speed limits and mandatory speed limiters, it is vitally important that as the driver you recognise it is your responsibility to stick to the speed limit and drive safely at all times.

In addition to the obvious dangers, being caught speeding could increase your car insurance premiums, including your next quote for temporary car insurance from Tempcover.