Speeding still ‘far from being socially unacceptable’ - IAM

THE UK’s biggest independent motoring charity IAM RoadSmart feels that speeding is still far from being socially unacceptable, as DfT figures released show speeding offences are now at a six year high.

More UK drivers are getting caught exceeding the speed limit than ever before and are risking lives and endangering themselves and others by ignoring limits. In 2011 there were 1.6 million prosecutions for speed limit offences but by 2016 the figures have leapt to 2.1 million, a rise of over 30%.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “Unfortunately these figures show that we still have a long way to go to make speeding as socially unacceptable as drinking and driving.

“While some of the increase in the volume of speeding offences has been caused by a change in reporting methods – with those attending driver awareness courses which have been shown to reduce reoffending now included – there is no doubt that speeding remains a major safety concern. Resources are still needed for education and publicity campaigns to drive home the message that road safety is as much about taking personal responsibility as it is about new methods of enforcement.”

He added: “IAM RoadSmart calls on all road users to allow themselves a little more time for their journey. Speeding seldom saves much time but adds to stress, wear and tear and emissions.”

In the same report from the DfT Motor vehicle offences (RAS61) serious offences such as dangerous driving and careless or drunken driving have fallen from 276,000 to 179,000 over the last six years.

Neil added: “This is a welcome fall but we are concerned that this may be more about the reduction in traffic police numbers rather than any fundamental change in driver behaviour.”