A speeding crisis
Research shows lockdown has led to a surge of driving at dangerous speeds
MOTORISTS in the UK were speeding three times more frequently during lockdown compared with normal, according to new analysis.
The study of telematics data by vehicle protection and management technology provider AX suggests drivers were making the most of unusually low traffic levels.
The emptier roads caused by the coronavirus restrictions gave drivers the opportunity to speed in otherwise normally congested areas.
Serious speeding events – the most severe category of excessive speed – occurred every 136 miles on average in April, compared with every 443 miles in February.
Such offenders would be travelling well above the official limit – for example, at 51 to 62mph in a 30mph zone or 105 to 111mph on the likes of 70mph motorways.
Major speeding events were also significantly more frequent, taking place on average once every 32 miles in April, down from every 94 miles in February.
These drivers might typically be speeding at 42 to 47mph in a 30mph area and 91 to 97mph on 70mph routes – so still well above the legal limits.
It wasn’t just a case of motorists covering shorter journeys either, with major speeding events occurring on average once every 4.3 trips in April compared with every 9.8 trips two months earlier.
Van drivers, who have played a crucial role during lockdown, proved to be much more obedient than car drivers, with telematics devices detecting major incidents twice as often as normal compared with four times as frequently for car drivers.
In normal circumstances, data suggests van drivers tend to commit more major speeding events than cars, whereas the reverse is true for serious events, largely due to the majority of cars offering more potent performance than most vans.
As pandemic restrictions began to ease, speeding also started to return to normal levels, with all types of speeding incident occurring almost half as frequently in June compared to April, although still far from pre-lockdown levels.
AX is a leading provider of accident aftercare services alongside intelligent software and in-car connected devices. The firm’s director of investigative services, Neil Thomas, said: “It’s fascinating to see how driver behaviour has been influenced by the impacts of Covid-19.
“Whether it was simply down to reduced traffic levels during lockdown or perhaps drivers assuming police forces had bigger priorities, the data shows that, given the opportunity, many drivers are clearly willing to speed and quite often significantly so.”
Road safety and breakdown group GEM Motoring Assist boss Neil Worth said: “The past few months have seen a frightening rise in speeding on our roads.
“Traffic levels are now back to where they were before lockdown, which means a much high risk of causing injury by breaking the speed limit. Speeding is a principal cause of road traffic collisions, deaths and serious injuries.
“A vehicle crashing at 80mph will have four times the force of a vehicle crashing at 40mph. Your safety – and the safety of your passengers and those around you – relies on your ability to choose and use a safe speed.”
Official figures for Scotland show police officers recorded 501 speeding offences in April, at the start of lockdown, 1890 in May and 2350 in June, as traffic levels increased.
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, head of road policing, said: “The dangers of speeding have been shown time and again as being a significant factor in fatal and serious injury collisions yet, despite the clear risks involved, a minority of drivers are still willing to take their chance.
“Police officers have remained on proactive patrols on the road network and in our communities throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
“During the initial stages of lockdown restrictions, roads were significantly quieter, making illegal driving behaviours easier to detect in some cases.”