Speeding statistics are truly shocking considering awful toll of death and injury caused by people driving too fast

THE latest figures from the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership reveal that more than 30,000 speed offences were recorded in 2017, an average of more than 80 a day.

One camera on Belfast’s Saintfield Road recorded 3,761 incidents, while 1,717 speeding drivers were detected on the Upper Newtownards Road, and another 1,256 on the Springfield Road in west Belfast.

Nearly two-thirds of all speed-related detections were on 30mph roads.

But there are some astounding examples of truly excessive speeding.

They include one driver who was caught at 71mph in a 30mph zone.

The highest speed was that of a driver reaching 100mph on the A1 Sprucefield to Sheepbridge Road, which is a 70mph zone.

Those most likely to speed were in the 40-54 age bracket, closely followed by those aged between 25 and 39.

Older drivers clearly ought to have known better.

One of the problems is that many people are not fully aware of the damage caused by speeding, where a differential of only 10mph could decide between life for a victim, or serious injury or death.

Another problem is that many drivers, who are shielded from the noise of speeding in virtually sound-proof modern vehicles, believe that they are totally in control — until something unexpected happens, and excessive speed adds to the damage. There is also the deeply human factor of the suffering or death of the victims, and the lasting anguish of a family that can result from a momentary lapse behind the wheel.

Many motorists are incensed by the stringency of the speeding laws and by sanctions such as penalty points and fines.

However, the simplest way to avoid that fine is by slowing down and concentrating. The alternative may prove very costly in terms of human distress, and also in financial penalties. Think now — before it’s too late.