Drivers caught speeding reaches eight-year high
The number of drivers convicted for speeding has reached an eight-year high, new figures show.
Government data shows 236,480 motorists were prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit in England and Wales in 2022 - a 16% rise on the total in 2021 (203,545) and was the highest in records dating back to 2014.
The RAC said the figures indicate there has been a rise in serious speeding cases and analysis of the data found that nearly three out of four people taken to court for speeding were convicted.
Most people caught speeding are handed a £100 fine and either penalty points or offered to participate in a retraining course.
Nicholas Mantel, head of Churchill Motor Insurance – which carried out the analysis – said: "Speeding is one of the main causes of road accidents and our research suggests that the problem is getting worse.
"Many drivers accidentally creep above the limit rather than speeding deliberately but the data shows that drivers who appear in court for speeding are usually convicted, and the fines are deservedly steep."
RAC road safety spokesperson Simon Williams said: "These figures make for grim reading as speeding is a contributory factor in far too many road collisions.
"While it is clearly wrong to be just a few miles an hour over the limit, arguably it is prolific excessive speeders who are putting people's lives in danger.
"Although it's positive that those breaking the law are being caught, it would be far better if drivers just stuck to speed limits as they are there for a good reason."