West Yorkshire police issued more than double the amount of speeding tickets compared to any other police force in the UK, according to freedom of information data supplied by 19 different police forces to car leasing firm, UK Carline.
In total 142,610 speeding tickets were issued in 2017 by West Yorkshire Police, which was more than double number two on the list. Surrey Police issued 62,623 speeding tickets, followed by West Mercia on 62,503 speeding tickets.
West Yorkshire Police also hold the record for the highest recorded speed offence in 2017, catching a driver at 160 mph on a 70-mph speed limit road, more than double the national motorway speed limit. Dundee Police clocked an offender driving at 106 mph in a 30-mph speed limit, which is more than three times the national speed limit.
Freedom of information request
Car leasing brand, UK Carline submitted a freedom of information request to all 43 UK police forces. Of those who were contacted, 19 police forces answered back and provided detail on the total number of speeding tickets issued and the highest recorded speed offence during the same 12-month period on 70 mph roads and 30 mph roads.
This means that the information supplied does not display the full picture across the whole of the UK, but 19 police force responses does provide a good representative sample of volume of tickets and speed limits broken and at what level.
West Yorkshire’s speed cameras recorded 46 times as many drivers exceeding the speed limit than the police force with the lowest number, The City of London police force with 3,107 tickets issued in 2017.
The rate of speeding offences year on year rose by 13% in West Yorkshire, 24% in Surrey and a huge 32% in West Mercia, which is a sharp increase that some experts believe is partly due to better detection on smart motorways and the due to the introduction of the new 20 mph speed limit in built up areas that is catching drives out who are not aware of the changed zones.
© Copyright Jim Barton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Police forces with most speeding tickets issued in 2017
1. West Yorkshire – 142,610
2. Surrey – 62,623
3. West Mercia – 62,503
4. Dundee – 60,465
5. North Wales – 57,224
6. Kent – 53,590
7. Lancashire – 51,455
8. Humberside – 49,982
9. Norfolk – 49,730
10. Dorset – 45,344
Top speeds clocked in 70mph zones
1. West Yorkshire – 160mph
2. Surrey – 150mph
3. Kent – 150mph
4. Lincolnshire – 149mph
5. Dundee – 148mph
Top speeds clocked in 30mph zones
1. Dundee – 106mph
2. West Yorkshire – 102mph
3. Dorset – 96mph
4. Warwickshire – 95mph
5. Gwent – 94mph
[Source: UK Carline FOI request to 43 police forces – 19 forces responded]
Speed awareness courses on the rise
New information supplied by the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme has shown that the rate of speed awareness courses attended in the UK has increased by a massive 330% year on year and earned the police an additional £57 million, which according to NDORS is largely due to new 20 mph low speed zones in built up areas.
The vast increase in drivers caught by low-speed zones has more than doubled the rate of drivers on awareness courses who choose a course and avoid paying a fine and 3 points on the licence. If, however they are caught again within 3 years the fine and points are retrospectively applied.
Recent changes to the fine system now mean that it depends on two factors, the first depends on your weekly wage and the second is the circumstances within which you were caught speeding.
Using this new approach to fines means a fine is on a sliding scale that could be thousands of pounds and extra points depending on the severity of the speeding offence. It really is the worst time to get caught speeding on Britain’s roads. However, the good news is that there are some things you can do about it to make sure you drive in a more sensible way and minimise the chance of getting caught speeding.
How to protect your licence and have better driving habits
The most obvious thing to do is slow down and drive at or under the speed limit, which of course is what we should ALL adhere to as often as possible. But this is not always a practical course of action, especially if you are driving in an unfamiliar location and you don’t know the speed limit or the location of cameras waiting to catch drivers out.
You may be driving on a UK motorway at the national speed limit of 70 mph, but this would cause congestion when all other road users are driving at 80 mph or more. This may encourage you to exceed the speed limit to stay with the traffic flow. Smart motorways with variable speed cameras are now operating and change the speed limit often, which can also catch drivers out unwittingly when it changes.
Using a speed camera detector is an inexpensive way of knowing the speed limit at all times and they make you aware of the location of speed cameras from a database of known static locations and mobile van locations. But that doesn’t always work. About 30% of speed cameras are not in operation and police officers may be using a radar gun or mobile van with a laser system in a new location that isn’t on a GPS database.
Drivesmart have launched a speed camera detection product called Alpha. It combines GPS database data with radar and laser detection up to 800 meters away of any forthcoming historic speed camera location or a radar or laser system in use ahead of you.
Using a speed camera detector like Drivesmart Alpha improves the driving habits as it makes drivers slow down way before reaching speed camera locations rather than braking sharply and causing risk to other road users.
PetrolPrices has agreed an exclusive 28% discount (£50 off) the new Drivesmart Alpha for members, which is one of the best speed camera detectors in the market at the moment.
Click on find out more to see details of this great member offer.
- Find out more
What do you think of speeding tickets and how many are issued? Were you caught recently and did you choose a speed awareness course to avoid a fine and points? And what are your thoughts on speed camera detection systems. Worth buying for peace of mind or not worth it? Let us know in the comments below.
Just stick to the law of the land, you may not like it or agree with certain limits in some places, but get over yourselves its the law!!!
That’s the favourite response from someone who would have continued to diligently report the the village green for his statutory archery practice 300 years after we stopped using bows and arrows because “it was the law”….
Are you aware Ian that it is STILL the Law to teach the long bow Archery to all boys of the realm from the age of 10 Years of age! What about that!
Exactly…Christine………..Its the law, get over it
Not so very long ago, it was “the law of the land” that women couldn’t vote! Would you have taken the same line with those early suffragettes and told them to “get over themselves, it’s the law”? here in the UK, we pride ourselves on our “government by consent”. Mass disobedience is a good way of getting incorrect or outdated laws changed. If everyone had willingly coughed-up for Mrs. Thatcher’s “Poll tax” we’d probably all still be paying it today!
20mph zones are a f.g joke. actually there are more accidents on 20zones than on 30 zones!
Peter, you’re absolutely right – I’ve seen more stupid incidents in 20 zones than in 30 zones. I’ll tell you why – people always travel at 30mph in a 20mph zone and if you’re doing 20 in a 20mph zone, you’re more likely to get overtaken or tailgated.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/17/20mph-limit-dangerous-costly-reverse-council-admits/
You are correct Peter. Here in hilly Brighton & Hove the 20 mph areas result in more pollution and fuel waste, not to mention the extra congestion.
The sliding scale for fines is simply outrageous, just because you earn more money shouldn’t mean your fine is more. It doesn’t mean you have more disposable income, the points on the licence should be deterrent enough.
Buy a camera detector then you won’t get caught ;))
But the counter argument to that, is that the rich guy gets an easier ride than the poor guy. Let’s face it, if you’re rich enough, you can even get banned and just employ a chauffeur!
Am I missing something here? Surely the whole point of speeding tickets is to deter people from breaking the law by speeding? Finding ways of avoiding detection (and let’s face it this article is merely a sales pitch for a camera detector) is like finding ways to steal money from banks without getting caught, or murdering someone and getting away with it. Following everyone else doing 80mph is the same as saying you stole a TV from Dixons during a riot because everybody else was doing it.
Simple fact is that the car doesn’t choose to speed, you do. It’s your choice to break the speed limit and thus the law, and the consequences of that are entirely on you. And if you didn’t realise you were speeding? Then you are obviously not a very attentive driver, and you should ask yourself that if you can’t do something as simple as keeping the car below a certain speed limit, should you really be allowed to drive a car at all?
No, I’m not a copper, nor has anyone I know been killed by a speeding car. And yes, I’ve been caught speeding twice in the past and both were my own fault. I accepted that my own stupidity and lack of attention led to the points and fines, and I didn’t try to blame anyone else or try to avoid the fact that I broke the law.
One of the main problems today is that there are TOO MANY differant speed limits, with limits ranging from 5mph to 70mph & anything inbetween,yes i have been caught some years back & i have done a speed awareness course & it was a total waste of time also did a safe drivers course run by our local traffic police, this was very good, much better than the speed course,now i just drive to the conditions of road & traffic, i think much more needs to be done to improve the standard of driving as it is very poor in my opinion & i am sure most traffic police will agree.More pedestrians & cyclists need to take resposability for their own saftey & not rely on the driver to keep them safe,we are all responsable for our own saftey.
That’s the price you pay for the failed policy that stems from the belief that any road safety problem can be solved by altering the speed limit! Once upon a time, it was relatively simple for a car driver to know the speed limit on any given road. Then the “speed kills” brigade (and the speed limit enforcement industry) managed to convince the authorities that accidents could be reduced by rigorous enforcement of the speed limits. Unfortunately, this didn’t work and the whole new term “inappropriate speed for the conditions” started to be bandied about – basically an acknowledgement that speed limits are a very blunt instrument when it comes to road safety. Accordingly, authorities started arbitrarily reducing speed limits all over the place, with the result that speed limit infringement revenues went UP, but accidents didn’t really go down (in fact last year, (tragically) we saw the first RISE in road deaths for many years.
I think we have to be honest with ourselves here. If the purpose of speed limit enforcement cameras is to generate revenue, then fine, we’ve been jolly successful at it! If the purpose is to save lives, the sooner we admit we’ve been barking up the wrong tree, the sooner we can get back to the business of saving lives!
No, completely wrong. Speeding fines are a punishment issued AFTER you have been speeding. The purpose of cameras etc is to make people slow down, this is why they are (should be) painted in very visible colours. What is more important to you, a driver speeding and then getting a ticket or a driver slowing down in the presence of a detection system (of whatever kind)?
it is all about revenue when the monies all went to London all the cameras were switched off
So here you are up in your pulpit preaching how we should drive to avoid speeding yet you have been caught twice! Your own advice certainly didn’t work for you did it? This proves how easy it is to fractionally be over the limit despite how good and attentive a driver you are.
How right you are. I support everything you say. The whole point of cameras is to catch idiotic drivers breaking the law and believe me Imhave witnessed too many of them.
Outside my house is a school and while school is in session the speed limit is adhered to with exception of a couple. When the school day comes to an end the so called boy racers appear who have no respect for residents or fellow car users. Even though there is a school there are no speed cameras. How stupid is that!. If ever the Police want to catch law breakers this is the spot
I agree that we should all adhere to the speed limit. However, did you know that about 50% of the changing speed limits on motorways are revenue generators? This means that the speed limit is changed even though there appears to be no reason why. I regularly travel on motorways at all times of the day and night and, for example, the speed limit is applied if a vehicle has broken down ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD or an accident had occurred but no evidence was seen that this ever happened even though the speed limit was still being applied. I once drove 2 miles on the M25 when the speed limit changed 4 times, both up and down!
It’s very frustrating to all motorists when these event occur. It’s evidence of revenue generation/Highways England incompetence or both.
Highways England would make driving a lot safer if they removed ALL Audi and BMW drivers from the road for a start, statistics proving that these drivers are the worst. Generally aggressive, bullies, poor driving skills and discourteous are some of the traits these people exhibit.
I regularly get overtaken by German cars more than any other make on the road, and that’s me keeping to the speed limit and lane discipline (i.e. moving to the inside lane when appropriate).
I’ve been driving since 1972 and still have a clean licence Hopefully I’ll go to the grave with one.
Oi. I drive a BMW. You are right – there is a special chapter on how to bean obnoxious driver – It comes before the safety stuff.
Back to speed limits. You are right again. The change in speed occurs 5 miles before the crisp packet in the middle of the road that is causing the “hazard” is noted.
That said, I was clocked at the local revenue generating speed van for doing 61mph in a 50 zone, 100 meters before the national speed limit sign. Have to say – the Driver Awareness course was worth the money. Everyone should be required to take one every five years, whether having a ticket or not.
Vrooom, Vrooom
Hi AMC,
I agree with you about Audi & BMW drivers but you also missed off another such offender, the RangeRover Discovery driver; they seem to think they bought the road when they bought their big toys.
Ooo bitchy
this site is meant to provide education to others not to denigrate those that express an opinion.
Speeding is a crime… and some people suffer as a consequence either being killed or injured or given a speeding ticket.
As was said before the limit is not a target to achieve but a maximum. The only safe place to speed is on a race track, but then tell Billy Wizz that, as he is now rebuilding his life all credit to him.
Everybody take care out there as somebody will always try to ruin your day. ‘Drive to arrive’ because if you don’t arrive something has gone wrong.
TWAT
A bit of a sweeping statement that, AMC – “ remove all Audi and BMW drivers from the road”. I’m a BMW driver and have been for the last 8 years. Prior, I drove VW Golfs and Corrado. I’ve been driving since 1970 and no points. With regards to speed limits I use my cruise control to stay within the speed limit. It is amazing how much of a convey is built up within 30, 40 or 50 zones behind me whilst driving at the speed limit. All makes of cars or vans not just Audi or BMWs!
You can’t discriminate against certain cars like bmw and Audi because idiots drive all types of cars. I drive a bmw convertible and I am very respectful when driving and always have been. I’ve been driving for 31 years and see myself as a good driver and know my cars in and out. The biggest idiots on motorways are those who drive flash new company cars they are ignorant and obnoxious because the car is not theirs so they don’t care who they pee off or what happens to the car. Others are those that drive flash new sports cars who drive like they are late for a curfew or to say ooo look at me I’ve got loads of money, I’m better than you. So, it’s not just particular vehicle brands the idiots drive, it’s all brands in equal amounts.
Can I keep my BMW please? I’m 74. I’m overtaken in 30 mph zones by boy racers in fiestas not Audi’s.
“did you know that about 50% of the changing speed limits on motorways are revenue generators”–could you please supply me with proof and origin of this statement as I don’t believe it for a minute–I’m waiting!!
Yes, I think you probably ARE missing something! After the bank has been robbed, there is money missing from it. After Dixons have been robbed, there are TVs missing from it. After someone has been murdered, there is a dead person left. After ALMOST EVERY CASE of doing 80 MPH on the motorway…. nothing has happened!
The consequences of speeding are far more serious than a loss of cash during a robbery or a stolen TV during a riot, people can lose their lives. How many people do you know that have been clicked doing 80mph on a motorway? I personally don’t know anyone. The fixed cameras generally give you 10 to 15%, your speedometer is reading slightly over the speed you are going so when you’re clocked at 36mph your speedometer is probably reading 38mph. No excuse.
My very own wife! 79 on a near-empty M6 in Cumbria! (Takings must have been slow that day). ACPO guidelines are to start prosecutions at 10% +2. Obviously they were following the advice “to the letter”, and I’m sure our roads are safer for it! (Well, OK, last year we saw a RISE in road deaths for the first time in a long while, but hey, I’m sure more automated enforcement is the solution…)!
(and yes, people DO sometimes lose their lives in riots)
Pantsman is correct. Speed limits are a pain in the b..t. However, they are there for a reason. I am surrounded by 20mph zones and very few people apart from me keep to the limit. It is a limit not a target after all. I’m not a copper and the last time I was done for speeding was in 1976. Yes, I’m old, but maybe a little wiser!
Yes you are missing something here. Avoiding camera detection by slowing down where there is a camera is the same as slowing down when you see speed camera warning signs. The only difference is that devices such as Drivesmart (and many others) visually and audibly highlight where such cameras exist thereby SLOWING the drivers down in advance, increasing safety and avoiding lengthy paperwork, expensive legal procedures and points.
If such devices were allowing the drivers to speed without detection (illegally blocking the cameras and radar) then I would agree its unethical as it reduces safety by allowing the driver to speed. But this is NOT the case with speed camera and radar detection systems which only alert drivers in advance and SLOWS them down! Isn’t that a good thing?
Drive within the speed limit then you don’t need to “suddenly” slow down. If you drive on a smart motorway you will notice that just about everyone drives within the speed limit. There is no bunching of traffic as the 80mph + catch up with those that observe the speed limit and lane weaving is greatly reduced too. If you can’t drive within the law don’t blame the cameras or the police when you get caught, accept the consequences and learn as I did.
That’s absolutely NOT my experience of them! I actually see MORE bunching (as every car is restricted to the same speed) and I see passing on the inside and tailgating, due to the small discrepancies between each vehicle’s speedometer and true speed!
I agree somewhat with this comment though it may differ from some of those taking the moral high ground. Changes to familiar speed limits can sometimes catch the unwary, not always because of a lack of concentration. My Garmin satnav issues warning dings if speed creeps beyond the local speed limit and focuses attention. Not a bad thing really. My own record is one speeding offence 37mph in a 30mph zone. The only one in 58yrs driving.
Don’t agree MAK ALK. In the old days of speed cameras on the motorways drivers would race up to the camera and then slam the brakes on, accelerating away hard when they were clear of the camera. this was to the detriment and safety of other people on the road. Average speed cameras are the best thing and hopefully will eventually be on most main roads to prevent the above.
I agree, average speed cameras the way forward.
Unfortunately we still have idiots running our highways here in England called Highways England who have over the past couple of years have been installing a new series of Spot Speed Enforcement Cameras called HADECS3, rather than Average Speed Cameras which time again have shown that they work better because people keep a consistent and legal speed over the zone which can be miles.
“The old days”? That’s exactly what happens right now, on brand new stretches of smart-arse motorway, e.g. the M62!
Yes, I totally agree – average speed cameras are the only kind that work. Unfortunately the cost benefits of these mustn’t be as good as the conventional kind, otherwise said redeveloped motorways would be fitted with them.
Sorry, your wrong. You shouldn’t be speeding in the first place to need a detection system. Drive within the speed limit, sorted. No excuse for speeding. Speed, caught, ticket, pay. Your choice.
Looking at the thumbs-down Mak….
…apparently not!
It seems that many on here would much rather see someone exceed the speed limit and get a fine through a post a few weeks later, than have them NOT exceed the speed limit!
I could’ve written this comment myself. I agree with everything you say. Anyone that disagrees probably doesn’t respect the rules of the road and are a danger to other road users. If you drive within the speed limit you don’t need a detection system. If everyone drove within the confines of the law there would be a lot less accidents and less grieving families and friends. My cousin and her husband were seriously injured in an an incident a couple of years back, the third party who was racing another driver in excess of 100mph sadly lost his life, these are the consequences of speeding, a lot more serious than the loss of cash from a bank robbery or a TV stolen during a riot mentioned and critiqued in later comments about an analogy.
With all due respect, that’s not a consequence of speeding, that’s a consequence of idiotic behaviour. Speeding is not necessarily idiotic behaviour, cliched example: on an empty road in good conditions, exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph in a vehicle that is perfectly capable of doing so.
I agree with the concept of improving road safety by using speed limits. I also agree with the principle of using speed limits to limit the impact on the environment by reducing fuel consumption. However the method in which they are applied in the UK needs to be examined. Unfortunately due to the revenue generated by fines we have a system that encourages more fines to be issued.
For all the talk of speed limits saving lives, the evidence doesn’t support the claimed “facts”. German Authbahns that have sections without speed limits do not result in huge numbers of additional accidents, deaths or injuries. People would also be surprised at how basic some of these sections are; they are nowhere near as well designed and safe as the UK motorways.
In the UK we have some of the best roads in the world, which could support higher speed limits, especially during times of lower use. It is not inherently unsafe for an average driver to drive at 100MPH on a clear stretch of motorway in a modern car.
The roll-out of smart motorways is an opportunity to review whether these stretches could set a higher speed limit when the roads are quiet (perhaps 80MPH). Instead there are some sections (namely the M1 around Luton) that seem to be permanently set to 60MPH or less.
More people will stick to speed limits that are set to a figure that is considered to be fair and in the interests of the majority of motorists. There will always be people who have a complete disregard for the limits; these are the people who need to be caught and punished.
Totally agree with Pantsman’s comment. Starting your journey in good time also helps, speeding because your late for work or an appointment is not an excuse.
Couldn’t agree more with Pantsman. Speed limits are always sign-posted. Use your cruise control… if you have it, of course.
Yes & no, I know of a 60mph road where as you come out of a bit of a left hand bend you enter a 40mph zone, no warning prior to the bend, and no visibility of the sign until you are a few meters from it. What to do? Slam on the brakes and get hit from behind, or enter the 40mph zone at more than 40mph?
Some drivers think that because THEY are a “good” driver they are safe at speed. Everyone makes mistakes at times and it a lot easier to rectify yours or avoid other peoples at a lower speed.
I agree with all the comments, also the authorities should use Average speed cameras on all Motorways and Dual Carriageways, then everyone will know that there is a real Seed Limit, and not just one where the GATSOs are.
So speeding drivers might get a fine that relates to their income. That might hurt. Good. Risking safety and pushing to the front wouldn’t be tolerated in the Post Office queue, so why should it be acceptable on the highway?
P.O. queue – identical destination. highway – different destination .
Speed awarness courses are a waste of time,You still have to tell your insurance company if you have attended one and they still load your insurance premium.
Save the time and effort and just take the points.
Then buy one of the speed camera detectors so you don’t get caught again.
you do not have to tell your insurance company!
Yes you do it asks the question on the proposal form if you lie your insurance could be invalidated
This has been tested in court, You don’t have to tell them
Only if they ask you.
Only if they ask you.
Not strictly true. It depends on which insurance company you are with. Admiral I know you have to, many others no. By taking a driver awareness course you have not, in the eyes of the law, committed an offence, so why should your insurance company need to know. Reason; it gives them an excuse to increase your premium.
Only if the insurance company asks you.
Is there a correlation with a reduction in accidents in these areas?
I highly doubt it. One of the reasons West Yorkshire has the highest number of tickets issued is that they don’t adhere to the guidelines. They will prosecute for 34mph whilst the same speed across the border in North Yorkshire sees you sail on by without as much as a wave.
Sounds like West Yorkshire police have the same situation as most people – it’s known as the “numbers game” – employers call it “hitting your target”. It’s a requirement to achieve a pay rise, if you hit your target the number required is upped so any avenue is explored so that you can get an increase!
Yep, ‘ performance related pay’.
Very unlikely, it has been proven over and over that cameras etc do almost nothing to reduce accidents. They are just cash machines essentially
In the Thames valley police area, lowering speed limits and cameras have been correlated with an INCREASE in serious accidents, AGAINST the national trend for a reduction in accidents.
Bought one of the previous “special offers” on this site and nobody mentioned until I read this on here that it dosnt work in 30% of cases! I have since been done twice in last year doing 35 in 30 zone,admittedly wrong but leads you to complacency presuming it would let you know!
Driven 42 years without any conviction now sweating on every journey about getting banned!
This is just the start. Yes the speeding is a problem. But what about the number of people blatantly driving through red lights. Repeat offenders should be made to take their test again.
In terms of driving fast – I simply can’t get enough. It’s so much of a rush taking a corner and feeling the tyres spin up as you come out the corner.
Fool
Set the driving to your sat nav. This is simple and gives you an audible and visible reminder that will alert you to breaking the relevant speed limit. It’s not fool-proof as changes and temporary speed limits apply in the real world, but it will save you the bother of being picked up and increasing the chance of licence points etc.
My daughter has a black box fitted in her car (new driver) It knows everything you do SO you drive safely within the law. Everyone who breaks the law should have one fitted.
Breaking the law is not a problem, getting caught is.
I want to murder someone or brutally rape a woman is ok, as long as I don’t get fought!!!!
My computer just got caught, it printed fought instead of caught?
Better still, make sure the laws we have are appropriate and reasonable so they don’t get brought into disrepute and the majority of the population then respects them and complies!
Hmm, No PSNI, No Police Scotland (2 largest areas) and no Met or GMP (2 largest forces) really not a representative sample. btw North yorkshire have the fifth largest area covering over 6,000 miles of road, most of the major routes are under either average speed limits (a1 upgrades) or variable smart motorway, leading to higher detection rates.
A very poorly researched and written article. There is a unitary police force in Scotland. There was/is no such thing as a Dundee Police Force before or after unification. This shoddy writing is just one of the reasons why you’ll never sell a subscription to me.
On moving to Berkshire in November I was shocked to get 2 speeding tickets issued by Thames Valley police during my first week in my new house. What was interesting is that they said I was speeding in 2 locations, 14 miles apart, within 2 minutes of each other. On querying this I was told “sorry but one is incorrect” and it was duly cancelled. I am sure had they been on 2 separate days, or even an hour apart I would have incorrectly admitted to both. I wonder ow many others were incorrectly caught by teh second camera ?
The Law is the Law even if it is seen to be an Ass at times. In Oxfordshire many signs are grimy or hidden behind overhanging branches and shrubbery. Where I live where to turn right at a particular Bicester roundabout from a 50 mph road into a 30 mph one, the only 30 sign is right on the corner where one as a driver would be rather busy looking to the right for Traffic to give way to and negotiating the turn. There are no reminder 30 signs on that stretch of road thereafter. Most locals know it is 30 but non locals could get caught out and are often seen speeding – more than likely in ignorance – street light spacing (who counts when driving?) not withstanding.
If you are stupid enough to speed then you deserve to get all that comes you’re way. Sure if a member of your family was injured due to some idiot speeding, you would look at it a much different way. the
My view is that a better result for safety would be for unmarked video cars and vans to cruise known problem areas and catch “dangerous” and ” inconsiderate” drivers rather than simply exceeding a limit which may be justifiable only at certain times of the day. Getting caught by a fixed and marked speed camera is driving without due care and attention. Getting caught by a mobile speed trap is speeding, though my observation of them is that they are set up in areas where there is no hazard but a good prospect of a catch, like on a downhill corner or close to the end of a limit.
That’s how policing of our roads USED to be done (when we had the safest roads in the world….). However, properly trained traffic cops COST money, whereas speed cameras… MAKE money!
I’m surprised any one gets caught speeding what with all the road works that are being carries out and the congestion on the high ways. Every where you go highways dept have got temporary traffic lights and barriers in place . I would like some thing done about the idiots who ignore red traffic lights and just drive through them regardless or the knobs who park on double yellow lines causing an obstruction .
Totally agree with most sane people on this site it is a case of not buyer beware but driver beware, follow the speed limits and there is no problem.
That said I do believe there is real case to increase the speed limit on our motorways to at least 80mph.
It’s really quite simple be aware of your surroundings and your speed. I have been caught several times over the years and none of us are perfect, but we must all accept when we are wrong and have screwed up. The Responsibility is on the individual.
By the time most of the driving population have points on their licences for speeding and even the insurance companies (who have the most to lose finanically in all this) don’t feel 3 points makes any difference to the risk, you really have to ask yourself whether the law is doing what was intended though!
I attended a Speed Awareness Detention session (it really was a waste of everyone’s time, the Session Leader deliberately drawing out the limited material to fill the compulsory 3 hours) and about half the 20 or so participants had been caught doing over 20 mph on the A104 westbound – the main artery linking Leyton and Hackney in London – in some cases as little as 22mph. Many complained at the absurdity of this limit and the sneakiness of placing the speed camera so soon after the limit had been reduced from 30 to 20.
So long as local authorities continue to use speed cameras so blatantly as a method of fund-raising, drivers will regard the whole exercise with scepticism and resent the ‘nanny state’ aspect of it all.
There is no excuse for speeding when you drive a modern car with cruise control. Set it within the applicable speed limit and you have miraculously transformed the device into a licence protector!
I agree totally with you clerky, I always use my Cruise Control, set at about 75, if I’m in a hurry and 65 if I have plenty of time. I must be honest, there is very little difference to the time I arrive anyway. At least, at 65, you are going faster than the trucks, so they don’t present a problem, and slow enough to let all the raging lunatics in the middle and outside lanes, to carry on with their route to hell. Also the difference in fuel consumption at a steady 65 is amazing, although company car drivers don’t give a toss about that!
If, however they are caught again within 3 years the fine and points are retrospectively applied.
No they’re not. What tosh!
Why is it it not allowed for speed cameras to be hidden? Why is it allowed that their locations are publicised? Why can’t mobile speed traps be set up at random? How many times have we been overtaken by a speeding driver for them to slam on the brakes in time for a speed camera then zoom off once out of range of the detectors?
Because you WANT people to slow down where the cameras are, don’t you? After all, we keep getting told that they are only ever positioned at accident blackspots and I’m sure the so-called “safety” camera partnerships wouldn’t lie to us…!
oh dear, one of the “perfect” brigade who has never broken the speed limit. Catch the lulus who drive like lunatics by all means but not the motorist who goes over the limit by a few miles per hour very often unintentionally. The idiots who drive at way below the limit should also be prosecuted.
Speed does not cause accidents, bad driving causes accidents; inappropriate use of speed being only one example. If speed alone caused accidents, the German Autobhans (mainly no speed limits) would be clogged with wrecked cars but they are not. As has already been pointed out, there are far too many different speed limits; often over quite short distances.
Also, as several people have pointed out, they are not Safety Cameras (Correct Title) but Cash Generators; if they were really Safety Cameras, they would be sited where there are safety issues but they tend to get sited where they will generate the most revenue. Not only do they not increase safety, they do not catch dangerous drivers, unlicenced drivers or drunk/drugged drivers; It has been proven that they do not reduce serious accidents and can cause minor accidents when drivers get distracted by them. Instead of using drivers as ‘Cash Cows’, more effort needs to be made in tackling the real menaces on our roads; dangerous drivers, unlicenced drivers or drunk/drugged drivers.
Fully agree. In addition, updated speed limits commensurate with modern car technology are decades overdue. Hands up who still has drum brakes and no ABS? ( just one example)…
I have been driving across Germany (there and back) about three times every year since the early 70’s. I run at a constant 100 mph and more and feel totally safe even with big Audis, Mercs and BMW’s going past me at well over 125. In all those journeys I have only seen three serious crashes and one of those was in snow/black ice. The standard of driving, in particular lane discipline and use of mirrors is exceptional and add to that modern car technology in respect of brakes and suspensions it just makes our limit of 70 look ridiculous compared to the rest of Europe.
I got caught on the A30 where I got flashed doing 36 in a 30 zone never even had a parking ticket but I’ve opted for the awareness course in Feb
You will still have to let your insurance company know about this course.
And they will add a premium to your insurance
TRY THE M62 …….IF YOU CAN EVER GET OUT OD SECOUND GEAR YOUR DOING WELL…….. 70 MPH ONLY DREAM OF
Only if the insurance company asks the question
I must have driven past the camera that got me hundreds of times before but on that particular day the three lane road was unusually traffic free and I must have had a rush of blood and got clocked at 36 in a 30 zone, blanket limits take absolutely no account of conditions.
my old mum the same. The time she passed the camera after my dad’s stroke, hospital visit, clocked at 36. Only ever ticket;. you can tell them, but they’re not interested.
in London if sidiqi khan has his way the speed limit will be either 10 mph or 5 mph with a man walking in front with a red flag and a rattle,the cyclist now go faster than the car
Cycling is already faster. average speed 7mph. slowest ever
Do not speed speeders do not have respect for live me i ban them from the road and let the idiots take a test
Your article makes some incorrect assumptions. Firstly speed awareness courses are not offered as a way to avoid a fine. A speed awareness course can be as much as a fine or even more. Also in my recent case I am not aware of any considerations regarding weekly income or the circumstances of the speeding offence.
Before retirement I was an Ambulance driver, trained by a police driver training school. Taught how to drive safely and how to drive above the speed limit and yes in an emergency. Yet I come of shift and caught doing 33mph
in a 30 limit ( going up hill and zapped from behind ) Same person driving the Ambulance as in the car ? obviously a car is dangerous whereas an Ambulance not so. Try driving one…..overweight glorified VANS, with iffy brakes.
I can quite understand why West Yorkshire gets the most speeders, most of its residents lived where there were no speed cameras, speed limits, traffic lights or islands. As most also drive very fast big, powerful cars, it is no surprise to hear this. We suffer the same in the West Midlands, and taxis are equally, if not worse, as they have a highway code of their own. I have learned over the decades, that speeding does nothing, as you usually catch up with the formulae 1 driver at the next lights, but they have a statement to show, and that is, they think they are richer and more important than you.
Very well (and carefully) put. The Bradford road safety campaign has done nothing to stop these people who seem to also have multiple identities; a terrible allergy to paying tax; and can’t tell the truth to save their lives; all whilst being apparently fiercely religious
I find the whole issue ludicrous. I have a diesel with a 9 speed automatic gear box. At 1000 revs it can either travel at approx 20 or 30 mph. Similarly, at 2000 revs the vehicle can travel at 60, 70 or even 80 mph. By being forced to go slower in 20 mph for example areas I am using more fuel and thus issuing more emissions to travel the same distance, than if I travelled through at 30 mph. Applies at all levels but we’re chucking out more emissions than needed and clogging up City Centres. Don’t talk to me about roads with 30 limits at each end and the need to stop to turn with a 20 limit in the middle!
If you are driving dangerously you need taking off the road NOW. To send a tax invoice- sorry- speeding fine through the post some time after the event tacitly acknowledges that driving faster than a limit set decades ago is not of itself actually dangerous. Otherwise every flash of a camera would be accompanied by a crashed vehicle. And they’re not.
I favour average speed cameras, as these catch people who are speeding over a wide area for a period of time. Fixed cameras are apt to catch out law-abiding citizens who unintentionally and momentarily go a little over the limit and get zapped.
Agree fully with Nigel. Static cameras can actually increase the hazard, round here (W London) it’s amusing the number of ‘slow down, there a speed camera…safely past.. woosh off again’ that you see
There’s a lot of criticism here about speed camera warning devices just being a means to escape being caught. I used to think that until I bought one after receiving a hefty speeding fine several years ago. Because it keeps telling me when I’m going over the speed limit I have to slow down to shut it up and have now got used to driving slower. They’re a worthwhile investment.
In my opinion,speed cameras exist to further extract easy money from the ”cash cow” motorist. If the Police or Government were genuinely interested in addressing dangerous driving they should / would deploy more Police vehicles to deter the motorists who ignore traffic lights and pedestrian crossings and drive insanely on our roads and motorways. Cameras will not catch many ”bad” drivers it needs a Police presence to achieve this.
One habit I’ve adopted is to use the speed limiter in the car. As modern cars are quiet and easily pick up speed, unless you drive watching the speedo all the time, a hazard in its own right, you can easily go too fast. The other attraction is that you can’t be pressured into speeding up because of a tailgater behind, the system just won’t let you.
On speed limiters, why can’t manufacturers design them to return to the last speed setting when the car is restarted, instead of having to go through the entire reset process each time, or offer 2 or 3 preset speeds, say, 30, 40, 70 as well as the manual setting
It’s a fair point about the preset speeds. It’s only software, so I imagine it could be done very easily. Whether or not it would make our roads any safer, is a different argument though. Heavy goods vehicles are currently speed-limited and they still get involved in plenty of accidents!
What about the 24 forces who failed to respond to the FOI request? They should have been chased.
Pantsman has missed something here. The first is that the majority of us do not set out to deliberately speed. The second is that the police and central government use the cameras to raise revenue. This is just a stealth tax on us mainly innocent motorists that have suffered an unwary moment. Evidence of this is when the government tried to keep all the revenue from the cameras and the police then refused to maintain them. If the main issue was one of road safety then the police would have kept them running and used politics to lever extra money from government.
A surprise that there is such a discrepancy between police forces. The really interesting thing would be how this translates into the road accident statistics. I realise there will be other variables but it might prove to be a starting point for an informed discussion
Oh what a surprise, the City of London didn’t issue many speeding tickets. On the few occasions I have driven through the City of London (as opposed to the Greater London area police by the Met.) I don’t recall being able to reach the speed limit.
As for the forces issuing the most tickets, look at their roads. There are more of them and they are bigger.
Usual headline to grab your attention then provide some raw statistics without meaningful analysis and then market a device. Not very subtle advertorial.
Just a sales pitch for Drivesmart . I wonder how much petrol prices get for pushing this.
It’s a no brainer. Forget points and fines. It should be crush car and lose the privilege to possess a licence for ever. Simples! It would also reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Win win solution.
It’s not about safety, it’s jobs for the boys. that’s why.
I hope the couple of dozen remaining licence holders in the country will be earning enough between them to pay the benefits of the rest of the population!
Cars are getting safer, roads are getting safer, but the speed limits are being reduced to ridiculous levels. Add to that the moronic addition of chicanes, which don’t slow traffic if the road is empty but causes extra queuing if the road is busy. Speed limits past schools that apply all the time, even 2am. The normal driver is being increasingly frustrated by these politically correct people who make a career out of forcing reductions. I wish they would see the big picture and reduce frustrations. Allow increases where it is safe, aim to help and free off the motorist where appropriate.
I got done doing 35 in 30mph, but I was slowing down ,it was one of those vans with camera in the back , I keep to limits , but you cannot always be glued to the speedometer ,I would like to see more of those automatic signs that flash up 30mph ,what do you think.
Beware speed detectors.some need to be connected to a pic at some time but I have discovered that they are not all compatible with Mac. This is not always explained in the sellers write up.
The problem is there is not enough signs telling you the speed limit, miss one and you won’t see another one for miles I don’t speed on purpose but I have sped by not seeing the change in speed limits I,E bushes or tree’s overgrown and covering them or maybe a bus or lorry stopped next to the sign. All roads with speed limits have white lines so why can’t they put say dashes on the lines about every so many metre’s apart I.E red for 30 say green for 40 and so on it would not cost the earth and drivers could see what the speed is on that road.
The stupidity of some comments here is mind boggling. If you find yourself driving in an unfamiliar area, where another driver cuts you up, or an animal runs across the road, for example, it can cause you to miss a speed change sign. You can easily find yourself speeding without knowing it. It’s far too simplistic to say “If you speed it’s always the drivers fault”. In the eyes of the law maybe, but we all know the law is an ass…