Speed limits there “to protect all road users”

A report issued today by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) shows nearly 100,000 speeding offences were detected during a three-week operation in October.

In all, there were 86,575 automatic detections (representing 92 per cent of the total) and 8037 offences reported through officer intervention (8 per cent). Of these, 51 per cent resulted in the issue of a fixed penalty ticket, 44 per cent in an educational course, 4 per cent in a driver warning and 1 per cent in a summons to court.

A total of 31 police forces took part in the operation, which saw nearly half of all offences committed in areas with 30mph speed limits (49 per cent). Further analysis showed that 68 per cent of offenders were male, with 83 per cent of offenders over the age of 25.

CC Jo Shiner, Roads Policing Lead for NPCC, said: “Whilst the majority of drivers stayed within the speed limit, the results show there were too many willing to put their own safety – and that of others – at risk by speeding. This is unacceptable.

“Speed limits and driving laws are there to protect all road users, and police officers across the country will always take action to ensure those caught committing an offence are dealt with in the most appropriate manner.

“Excess speed is a significant factor in fatal and serious injury collisions and therefore we will continue to target, educate and where appropriate, prosecute those who choose to break the law.”