Almost half of drivers admit to breaking speed limit on rural roads
Excessive speeding is not only against the law, it creates unnecessary risk and puts drivers in danger. It is easily preventable and watching your speed can result in lower fuel consumption. Responsible drivers should always ensure they are driving within the speed limit.
New research from the RAC shows that nearly half of the drivers surveyed admitted to breaking the speed limit on rural roads. 48% of the 3,102 drivers questioned in the RAC Report on Motoring say they have exceeded the speed limit on country roads, up from 44% in 2021.
8% confessed to frequently speeding on rural roads, while 40% say they have done it occasionally on up to half of their journeys on these roads. In 2021, 514 people were killed in 11,827 collisions on 60mph non-built up roads. This means that there was a fatality rate of 4%, which is higher than on motorways.
On motorways and high-speed dual carriageways, 60% of drivers surveyed stated that they have broken the 70mph speed limit on most journeys (16%) or on up to half of their trips (43%) in the last year.
The most common reason drivers gave for exceeding the motorway speed limit is that they are travelling at the same speed as other motorists (42%). The same justification is used by 32% of drivers who exceeded the speed limit on 60mph roads, being the most popular explanation for breaking the speed limit.
Additionally, almost half of all drivers who exceeded the speed limit in 20mph zones say that it was because they think the limit is inappropriate for that particular road. 69% of drivers surveyed think that motorists only adhere to 20mph speed limits when there is enforcement or traffic-calming measures in place, and 65% say that speed camera warning signs nearby help them to stick to the speed limit. Half (52%) of drivers surveyed said they would be opposed to additional 20mph speed limits being introduced in their local area. However, 48% believe that some 60mph speed limits on unclassified rural roads should be reduced.
Simon Williams, RAC road safety spokesman, said: “The recent increase in the proportion of drivers admitting to speeding on 60mph rural roads is extremely worrying as more people lose their lives every year in collisions on these roads than on any other. It’s even more concerning that this figure is now back to the all-time high of 48%.
“While the number of fatalities on our roads is no longer falling, we certainly don’t want to see an increase in deaths. We think the Government should address the issue of fatalities on 60mph rural roads by advising roads authorities to reduce limits on the most dangerous stretches to more appropriate levels. This is something half of drivers (48%) surveyed for the RAC Report on Motoring would like to see, with only a quarter (24%) disagreeing.
“Drivers sometimes forget or underestimate the role speed plays in fatal and serious collisions as they tend not to see it in the same light as offences like drink or drug-driving or talking on a handheld phone. In fact, in 2021 as many as 253 people lost their lives in collisions where someone was exceeding the speed limit.
“Unfortunately, with our data showing a bigger proportion of drivers now admitting to exceeding the 70mph limit on our fastest roads than at any point since 2017, we are fearful this could be on the way back to the high points of 2015 and 2016 where 70% admitted this. The implications of this from a road safety point of view would be negative.
“What’s more, although motorways are statistically the UK’s safest roads, the abundance of digital signage on them could easily be used to make to try to make them even safer by reminding drivers of the dangers of breaking the speed limit.
So, what can you do as a Fleet Manager to encourage safer driving within your fleet?
Telematics Solutions
Telematics are useful for any business fleet, and can fundamentally change how your fleet operates. At least one in three (31%) fatal crashes and one in four (26%) serious injury crashes in Britain involve someone driving for work. Through the monitoring software, fleet managers receive real-time data through the vehicle management systems. This can alert you to poor quality driving or bad behaviours, such as speeding and harsh-braking, so that you can proactively address any issues with your drivers.
Useful statistics
The investment in telematics doesn’t take long to pay for itself. The benefits to your company may include:
• 80% reduction in overtime claims
• 39% reduction in accidents
• 35% reduction in speeding
• 25% reduction in insurance costs
• 10% reduction in fuel costs
Useful links:
To find out more about our fuel cards can help your business, click here.
To learn more about how our telematics devices can help your business, click here.