Need for ‘fundamental shift’ in attitudes towards speeding: IAM

IAM RoadSmart has renewed its call for speeding to become as socially unacceptable as drink and drug driving. The road safety charity has published ‘worrying new analysis’ that indicates excessive speed is considered acceptable on the motorway and on residential roads by many drivers.

The survey found that more than one-in-10 motorists (14%) admit to having driven at more than 10% over the speed limit in residential areas. This is despite 89% of respondents believing speeding in a residential area is as much of a threat to their safety as driving under the influence of illegal drugs. Meanwhile, nearly half (46%) believe it is acceptable to speed on motorways – with a quarter admitting to driving at over 80mph.

Neil Greig, policy and research director for IAM RoadSmart, said: “The results of this survey are deeply concerning. “Speeding consistently causes more than 4,400 casualties on UK roads each year. That’s an average of 12 people a day killed or injured in some form.

“We need a fundamental shift in attitudes towards speeding so that it becomes as socially unacceptable as drink and drug driving – where public opinion has changed over previous decades.”