New figures reveal the surprising extent of extreme rushing on UK roads, with practically half of police forces recording motorists driving at greater than 90mph in 30mph zones.
Knowledge obtained by the RAC by way of Freedom of Info requests to 45 police forces exhibits that between January 2023 and August 2024, 48% of responding forces caught drivers travelling at over thrice the authorized restrict. In the meantime, 90% recorded speeds of 60mph or extra in 30mph zones.
The worst particular person case was recorded in South Yorkshire, the place a driver was caught rushing at 122mph in a 30mph space. In 20mph zones, the very best velocity logged was 88mph, recorded by North Wales Police.
On the broader highway community, essentially the most excessive case of rushing was 167mph on a 70mph stretch of the M1 in Leicestershire. The largest margin over the authorized restrict was 161mph on a 50mph highway in Somerset.
Highest Speeds Recorded in 30mph Zones
The ten worst instances of rushing in 30mph areas had been:
- South Yorkshire Police – 122mph
- Sussex Police – 113mph
- Larger Manchester Police – 112mph
- West Yorkshire Police – 112mph
- West Mercia Police – 106mph
- Lancashire Constabulary – 104mph
- Nottinghamshire Police – 103mph
- Bedfordshire Police – 103mph
- West Midlands Police – 100mph
- Police Service of Northern Eire – 100mph
RAC highway security spokesperson Rod Dennis condemned the figures, stating: “Though this knowledge is a snapshot, it shines a lightweight on the extremely harmful actions of some, which are placing law-abiding highway customers at severe threat. Fortunately, the police had been readily available to catch these drivers.”
Chief Constable Jo Shiner, Nationwide Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing, additionally criticised these accountable, saying such speeds amounted to “reckless, egocentric and utterly unacceptable” behaviour.
She added: “We all know that some incidents of going over the velocity restrict might be real errors or errors, however the speeds cited listed here are clearly drivers taking deliberate choices to journey at extreme speeds, placing everybody in danger.”
A Division for Transport spokesperson highlighted the federal government’s dedication to tackling rushing: “Whereas our roads are among the many most secure on the earth, we’re dedicated to bettering highway security, and not too long ago relaunched our Assume! marketing campaign with a deal with rushing, notably on rural roads.”
Velocity stays one of many greatest contributing elements in deadly highway collisions. Authorities knowledge from 2023 exhibits that extreme velocity contributed to 888 deaths and over 39,000 crashes of all severities.
Moreover, between 2019 and 2023, police recorded over 24,000 situations of automobiles being caught on digital camera travelling at greater than 100mph.
Implications for Driving Instructors
With such excessive examples of rushing, it’s extra necessary than ever for driving instructors to strengthen the risks of extreme velocity. CPD programs on highway security, hazard notion, and defensive driving will help ADIs and PDIs educate learners on the real-world dangers of irresponsible driving behaviour.
These findings underline the necessity for steady skilled growth within the driver coaching sector, guaranteeing instructors are outfitted with the newest information and strategies to advertise safer driving habits.
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