| Vehicle Speeds 2006 | ||
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(Fri 06 Apr 07) More than half of car drivers are complying with 30mph speed limits for the first time, according to the Department of Transport. The proportion of drivers who break the limit in built-up areas fell from 72% in 1996 to 49% last year. The Department for Transport monitored the speeds of different types of vehicles in free-flowing conditions on several types of road. The sites had been selected so that results are not distorted by drivers slowing down due to speed cameras or traffic congestion. The proportion of drivers in a 30mph area travelling faster than 35mph, the lowest speed at which cameras are triggered, has halved from 37 per cent in 1996 to 19% last year. The highest level of cars travelling over the speed limit occurred on motorways (54%). This compares to 56% in 2005. The lowest level was on single carriageway roads, with a speed limit of 60mph, where 11% of cars were driven over the speed limit. However, the proportion travelling at more than 10mph above the 70mph limit on motorways has fallen only slightly over the same period, from 19% to 17%. Motorcyclists were much more likely than car drivers to exceed the limit by a wide margin, with 25% travelling at more than 80mph on motorways and in 30mph areas. One in 10 motorcyclists exceeded 40mph in a 30mph zone and one in 50 rode above 50mph. The worst offenders were HGV drivers, with three quarters (76%) breaking their 40mph limit on main non-built-up single carriageway roads. The limit for cars on these roads is 60mph and almost 90% remained under that speed. The only worsening trend for cars was in 40mph areas, where 28% broke the limit, up from 24% in 2005. Commenting on the statistics, Sheila Rainger, RAC Foundation Head of Campaigns, said: "Responsible motorists have got the message that slowing down in town reduces the risk of killing or injuring a pedestrian. "However, one in five motorists and bikers are still willing to take the chance of breaking the speed limit by 10% or more. We need more traffic police, targeting these excessive speeders, to change the behaviour of this minority and make the roads safer for everyone." Paul Smith from Safe Speed said: ""Of course driving like a nutter is dangerous. Everyone knows that. Nutters might drive fast and cause horrific crashes. But it's not exceeding the speed limit that causes the crash - it's driving like a nutter. The behaviours - and the solutions - are entirely different." |
