New research from the RAC has revealed that 48% of police forces in the UK found drivers going more than three times the 30mph limit, while 90% had clocked people driving at 60mph.
The highest recorded speed on 30mph roads was 122mph in South Yorkshire. For 20mph roads, the top speed was logged by North Wales Police at 88mph.
The highest recorded speed on any road was 167mph on a 70mph stretch of the M1 in Leicestershire.
The largest difference between the speed recorded and the speed limit was 161mph on a 50mph in Somerset.
Commenting on the data, Paul Loughlin, a Partner specialising in motoring offence law at Stephensons said:
“Penalties for speeding offences range from points on your licence to lengthy disqualifications alongside a financial penalty. Standalone speeding offences account for around a quarter of the motoring enquiries we receive and speeding can often be a reason for drivers being stopped by the police only to then be charged with offences that carry more serious penalties like drink driving or drug driving where lengthy bans are mandatory and, in serious cases, prison sentences can be imposed.
There are also instances where speeding might not necessarily lead to a specific charge for that offence if it is deemed that more serious charges have overtaken the speeding issue, however the presence of speeding can always be considered as a contributing factor for courts when determining sentence.
These sort of eye watering speeds recorded in 30mph zones are often considered to be more suitably categorised as dangerous driving when charging decisions are made. The serious consequences of a conviction for dangerous driving can also lead to a prison sentence being imposed. This serves to act as a further deterrent to the offender given the clear and obvious risk to other road users and pedestrians alike.”
Comments