The reality
Speed is one of the main factors in fatal road accidents
27% of fatal collisions in UK were as a result of the combined factors of speeding and driving too fast (2020 figures).
The risk of death is four times higher when a pedestrian is hit at 40mph than at 30mph
Fatal accidents are four times more likely on rural “A” roads than urban“A” roads
Know your limits
You must not drive faster than the speed limit for the type of road and your type of vehicle.
The speed limit is the absolute maximum and it doesn’t mean it’s safe to drive at this speed in all conditions.
You are expected to reduce your speed accordingly in hazardous conditions.
1mph over the speed limit constitutes a punishable offence.
Consequences
Speeding penalties may include
- The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points.
- 12 or more penalty points within 3 years may result in a driving ban.
- The maximum is £1,000, except for motorway offences, where the maximum is £2,500.
What you should consider
The speed limit is a limit not a target.
In some road conditions, including fog, rain and traffic flow, driving at the speed limit could be dangerous.
Stay in control and give yourself time to react to unexpected hazards by braking before the bend, not in it.
Be aware that there may be unexpected hazards, such as blind bends, vehicles coming out of junctions and animals on country roads.
Driving too close to the car in front, undertaking and failing to signal are widely accepted as examples of bad driving.
Consider the consequences of causing an accident due to driving at excessive speed.
If you cause an accident, you live with the consequences for the rest of your life.