Practically a half of all motorists admit to breaking the velocity restrict on 60mph nation roads – the best degree since 2016, in accordance with new RAC knowledge.
Some 48% of the three,102 drivers questioned for the RAC Report on Motoring say they’ve pushed sooner than the restrict up to now yr on these roads – up from 44% in 2021 and matching the best determine ever seen by the RAC in 2016.
Eight per cent confess to having accomplished this often, whereas 40% say they’ve accomplished it often on as much as half of their journeys on these roads.
In 2021 514 individuals had been killed in a complete of 11,827 collisions on 60mph non-built-up roads – a fatality fee of 4%, which is larger than on motorways.
On motorways and high-speed twin carriageways, the UK’s quickest roads, as many as 60% of drivers say they’ve damaged the 70mph restrict, both on most journeys (16%), or on as much as half of their journeys (43%) within the final 12 months.
That is up by 5 share factors in comparison with 2021 when 55% admitted to having exceeded the restrict. The 60% determine is the most important share seen by the RAC since 2017, when 66% owned as much as this. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless down on the file of 70% reported in each 2015 and 2016.
The share who velocity on city roads has modified little or no up to now 12 months with 40% of drivers saying they’ve exceeded the 30mph restrict at the very least often, in comparison with 41% in 2021, whereas 46% have damaged the restrict on 20mph roads, a determine unchanged on the yr earlier than.
The most typical motive drivers give for exceeding the motorway 70mph restrict is that they’re travelling on the similar velocity as different motorists (42%).
The identical justification is utilized by 32% of those that break 60mph limits – the most well-liked clarification given for exceeding the restrict on these roads.
Virtually half of drivers who’ve exceeded the velocity restrict in 20mph zones say it is because they suppose the restrict is inappropriate for that specific street.
Most drivers (69%) suppose motorists solely adhere to 20mph limits when there’s enforcement or bodily traffic-calming measures in place, whereas 65% say that indicators warning of velocity cameras close by assist them stick with the restrict.
And, half (52%) say they might be against extra 20mph limits being launched of their native space. Nevertheless, an identical proportion (48%) imagine some 60mph limits on unclassified rural roads must be lowered.
“The latest improve within the proportion of drivers admitting to rushing on 60mph rural roads is extraordinarily worrying as extra individuals lose their lives yearly in collisions on these roads than on every other,” mentioned RAC street security spokesman Simon Williams.
