Is speeding actually less common in 20mph areas?

• On average, 86% of cars on 20mph roads in Great Britain in 2021 were exceeding the speed limit

• Just over half (51%) of cars on 30mph roads were exceeding the limit

• There were 43 days in 2021 when 90% of cars in 20mph zones were exceeding the limit

A new study has revealed that speeding has been more common on 20mph roads than on 30mph roads.[1] It found that, in 2021, the average percentage of cars exceeding the speed limit on 30mph roads in Great Britain was 51%. On 20mph roads, the percentage of cars exceeding the limit rose to a staggering 86%, showing that the vast majority of drivers haven’t been abiding by lower limits.

The research investigated historical figures to see how the lower limits could affect speeding going forward. Shockingly, the proportion of cars speeding is substantially higher on roads with the 20mph limit. This follows the controversial introduction of 20mph speed limits in Wales.

More astoundingly, the study, which was carried out by Go.Compare Car Insurance, found that the government figures showed several days where 90% of cars exceeded the 20mph limit. Overall, there were 43 days across 2021 when the limit was exceeded by 90% of cars or more, peaking on the 1st of January, when a mind-blowing 92% of cars exceeded the limit.

The festive season seems to be a peak time for motorists driving particularly fast, as 91% of cars exceeded the 20mph limit on Christmas Day, in 2021. The 30mph roads saw their highest percentage of speeding on the same day, although this was a lower figure of 63%.

The day with the lowest percentage of cars speeding on 20mph roads was the 2nd of December, with a figure of 79%. But even at its lowest, it was still more than the highest percentage of speeding on 30mph roads.

Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “It’s interesting that roads with lower limits tend to experience a higher percentage of speeding vehicles. However, while speeding is more common, other studies have shown that lowering the limits has helped to reduce the average speeds of drivers. So although their introduction has been controversial, they could bring noteworthy improvements in road safety.”

More information can be found on Go.Compare’s website.