Drivers speed more in 20mph zones than any other limits - and councils want to up restrictions
Drivers speed in 20mph zones more than any other limits, a massive survey of motorists has found.
It comes as councils across the country continue to push for blanket 20mph restrictions across their towns and cities.
The poll of more than 10,500 drivers uncovered that 44 per cent admit to breaching 20mph limits, whereas just a fifth speed in 50mph areas.
It comes as Labour-ran Birmingham, which already has 20mph limits for a third of its city streets, is exploring extending the restriction to more roads, while Glasgow has announced it will introduce 20mph limits on all major street while the Scottish Government asses whether to make it a nationwide fixture.
While the theory for reducing residential limits from 30mph is that it will bolster safety, the introduction of blanket 20mph zones has proven extremely unpopular in the past.
Wales imposed its country-wide 20mph restriction in 2023 at the cost of £34million. However, it reversed the decision less than a year later, with some roads reverted back to 30mph following a public backlash.
Campaign group '20's Plenty for Us' recently estimated that one in three Britons (around 28 million) live in local authorities with 20mph limits.
Drivers speed in 20mph zones more than any other limits, a massive survey of motorists has found - as councils across the country continue to push for blanket 20mph restrictions across their towns and cities
The AA's study highlights that drivers are more likely to speed in residential areas than anywhere else.
Some 38 per cent of those polled said they knowingly break 30mph limits, which the motoring group said is a major concern for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
However, when driving out of town, motorists are seemingly are more conscious of adhering to restrictions.
In 40mph zones, just 24 per cent say they speed. In 50mph limits, only 21 per cent go over the restriction. And on stretches of road governed by 60mph limits, 22 per cent admit they drive faster.
But on motorways, the nation's fastest-moving roads, attitude towards the speed limit is far more relaxed.
More than a third (35 per cent) say they speed on 70mph stretches, which comes with greater risk of fines and penalty points given the widespread adoption of 'smart' motorways, which all have variable speed limits that can change at the drop of a hat.
Motorists were also asked how much over each the speed limit they deemed is 'acceptable and safe'.
In 20, 30 and 40mph zones, most drivers believed up to 4mph over was acceptable. For 50 and 60mph limits, the 'safe' margin was 5mph over, while on 70mph routes this allowance rises to 6mph.
When asked why they exceeded speed limits, the most common response was 'I wasn't aware of the speed I was doing,' which was cited by more than two fifths (44 per cent).
'This was particularly common in 20mph and 30mph zones, where drivers have not adjusted to lower limits or failed to notice signage.,' the AA said.
In rebuttal, motorists often argue that adhering to a 20mph restrictions in a modern car can be difficult, with just minor levels of acceleration typically resulting in exceeding the limit due to already travelling a relatively pedestrian speeds.
Other excuses given by the panel of drivers included a belief that the speed limit in place is too low (33 per cent), and the road being quiet (30 per cent).
Running late (4 per cent), peer pressure, and following the speed of the vehicle in front (3 per cent) were also reasons provided.
There are notable differences in attitudes towards speed limits across age and gender profiles too.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, men are significantly more likely to admit to speeding than women (47 per cent versus 38 per cent respectively), and it's the youngest motorists on the road (18 to 34 year olds) who are statistically most likely to speed on residential streets.
Over 65s are least likely to go over the limit in any zone, the report found.
More education and increased policing in 20mph zones
Road casualty statistics show that speeding is the biggest factor in traffic deaths and injuries.
In 2023, more than half (56 per cent) of fatal collisions were linked to one of three speed-related factors: exceeding the speed limit; driving too fast for conditions; and driving aggressively, dangerously or recklessly.
It means 809 of the 1,441 fatal collisions on Britain's roads two years ago were caused due to motorists travelling too fast.
The AA concluded from its findings that more enforcement is required on roads, especially where the speed limit is lower. It called for 1,000 more traffic officers to help improve safety and catch offenders in the act.
However, it also said improvements could be made to driver education, explaining in greater detail to new motorists and those sitting speed awareness courses the rationale behind lower limits, which some often misunderstand or see as excessive.
Edmund King, AA president, said: 'We can't afford to be complacent as speed kills. Every mile per hour over the limit matters and these figures are a wake-up call. Speed limits aren't optional – they're lifesavers.
'Whether it's a school run or on a quiet residential street, the difference between 20 and 30mph can be the difference between life and death.
'While many drivers don't speed maliciously, these findings show many are distracted, unaware of their surroundings, or simply not paying attention.
'That's why we need better driver attention, improved signage, clearer road markings, and smarter enforcement.'
List of 20mph highway authorities in the UK
Here is a list from 20's Plenty For Us of what it described as '20mph highway authorities' across the UK - Local Authorities which accept 20mph as the right speed limit where people live, work or play.
County councils
Cambridgeshire
Lancashire
Oxfordshire
Unitary authorities
Bath and North East Somerset
Brighton and Hove
Bristol, City of
Cheshire West and Chester
Cornwall
Darlington
East Riding of Yorkshire
Herefordshire, County of
Kingston upon Hull, City of
Leicester
Middlesbrough
Luton
Nottingham
Portsmouth
Southampton
Southend-on-Sea
Warrington
York
Metropolitan districts
Birmingham
Bolton
Bradford
Bury
Calderdale
Coventry
Doncaster
Leeds
Liverpool
Manchester
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Rochdale
Sefton
Sheffield
South Tyneside
St Helens
Stockport
Wigan
Wirral
London boroughs
Camden
City of London
Croydon
Ealing
Hackney
Hammersmith & Fulham
Haringey
Hounslow
Islington
Kensington & Chelsea
Kingston
Lambeth
Lewisham
Mitcham
Newham
Richmond
Southwark
Tower Hamlets
Waltham Forest
Wandsworth
Westminster
Scottish authorities
Clackmannanshire
Edinburgh
Fife
Glasgow
Highland
Scottish Borders
West Dunbartonshire
Countries
Wales
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