New figures reveal the stunning extent of extreme rushing on UK roads, with almost half of police forces recording motorists driving at greater than 90mph in 30mph zones.
Knowledge obtained by the RAC via Freedom of Info requests to 45 police forces reveals that between January 2023 and August 2024, 48% of responding forces caught drivers travelling at over 3 times the authorized restrict. In the meantime, 90% recorded speeds of 60mph or extra in 30mph zones.
The worst particular person case was recorded in South Yorkshire, the place a driver was caught rushing at 122mph in a 30mph space. In 20mph zones, the very best velocity logged was 88mph, recorded by North Wales Police.
On the broader street community, probably the most excessive case of rushing was 167mph on a 70mph stretch of the M1 in Leicestershire. The largest margin over the authorized restrict was 161mph on a 50mph street in Somerset.
Highest Speeds Recorded in 30mph Zones
The ten worst instances of rushing in 30mph areas have been:
- South Yorkshire Police – 122mph
- Sussex Police – 113mph
- Higher Manchester Police – 112mph
- West Yorkshire Police – 112mph
- West Mercia Police – 106mph
- Lancashire Constabulary – 104mph
- Nottinghamshire Police – 103mph
- Bedfordshire Police – 103mph
- West Midlands Police – 100mph
- Police Service of Northern Eire – 100mph
RAC street security spokesperson Rod Dennis condemned the figures, stating: “Though this information is a snapshot, it shines a lightweight on the extremely harmful actions of some, which might be placing law-abiding street customers at critical threat. Fortunately, the police have been available to catch these drivers.”
Chief Constable Jo Shiner, Nationwide Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing, additionally criticised these accountable, saying such speeds amounted to “reckless, egocentric and utterly unacceptable” behaviour.
She added: “We all know that some incidents of going over the velocity restrict could be real errors or errors, however the speeds cited listed below are clearly drivers taking deliberate selections to journey at extreme speeds, placing everybody in danger.”
A Division for Transport spokesperson highlighted the federal government’s dedication to tackling rushing: “Whereas our roads are among the many most secure on this planet, we’re dedicated to bettering street security, and not too long ago relaunched our Suppose! marketing campaign with a deal with rushing, notably on rural roads.”
Velocity stays one of many greatest contributing components in deadly street collisions. Authorities information from 2023 reveals that extreme velocity contributed to 888 deaths and over 39,000 crashes of all severities.
Moreover, between 2019 and 2023, police recorded over 24,000 situations of automobiles being caught on digicam travelling at greater than 100mph.
Implications for Driving Instructors
With such excessive examples of rushing, it’s extra essential than ever for driving instructors to strengthen the risks of extreme velocity. CPD programs on street security, hazard notion, and defensive driving can assist ADIs and PDIs educate learners on the real-world dangers of irresponsible driving behaviour.
These findings underline the necessity for steady skilled improvement within the driver coaching sector, guaranteeing instructors are geared up with the newest data and methods to advertise safer driving habits.
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