Speeding remains one of the most dangerous and reckless behaviours on UK roads, contributing to a significant number of fatalities and serious injuries each year. Recent data obtained by the RAC through Freedom of Information requests has highlighted the alarming extent of extreme speeding incidents, reinforcing the urgent need for action.
Alarming Statistics
Between January 2023 and August 2024, nearly half (48%) of UK police forces recorded instances of drivers exceeding 90 mph on roads with 30 mph limits. The most shocking case was a driver caught at 122 mph in the South Yorkshire Police area. On 20 mph roads, the highest recorded speed was 88 mph in North Wales. Meanwhile, the fastest speed detected on any UK road was 167 mph on a 70 mph stretch of the M1 motorway, recorded by Leicestershire Police.
These extreme speeds pose a severe risk to all road users. In 2023 alone, 311 people lost their lives in crashes where speeding was a contributory factor—representing 21% of all road fatalities. This tragic figure marked at least a ten-year high, underscoring the devastating consequences of reckless driving.
Speeding in Dorset
Dorset has also witnessed alarming cases of extreme speeding. The county’s police force has reported instances of drivers caught exceeding speed limits by significant margins, particularly on rural roads where speeding remains a persistent issue. Dorset Police have emphasised the importance of enforcement measures, including speed cameras and increased patrols, to deter reckless driving.
Local safety advocates have called for stronger penalties and awareness campaigns to highlight the dangers of speeding in the area. With its mix of urban and rural roads, Dorset remains a region where tackling excessive speeding is a priority to ensure the safety of all road users.
Public Perception and the Culture of Speeding
A survey conducted by the RAC last year found that 55% of drivers believe there is a prevailing culture in the UK that tolerates speeding, with only 23% disagreeing. Such attitudes only serve to normalise and perpetuate dangerous driving behaviour.
RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis condemned the behaviour of extreme speeders, stating:
“Although this data is a snapshot, it shines a light on the incredibly dangerous actions of a few, that are putting law-abiding road users at serious risk. Thankfully, the police were on hand to catch these drivers. There is no place for the vastly excessive speeds that some people are prepared to drive. Speed is the leading cause of deaths on UK roads.”
The Devastating Consequences
Speed limits are carefully set to account for road layout, pedestrian activity, and the presence of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and children. Exceeding these limits significantly reduces reaction times and increases the severity of accidents.
Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing, also criticised reckless drivers:
“We know that some incidents of going over the speed limit can be genuine mistakes or errors, but the speeds cited here are clearly drivers taking deliberate decisions to travel at excessive speeds, putting everyone at risk. Choosing to drive above those limits is reckless, selfish, and completely unacceptable.”
The Need for Stronger Measures
With the government set to introduce a new road safety strategy, organisations such as the RAC are urging authorities to prioritise measures that will curb dangerous speeding. Increased enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and stronger penalties for excessive speeding could play a crucial role in reducing avoidable casualties.
It is imperative that drivers recognise the deadly risks associated with excessive speed. Every decision to push beyond the speed limit is a gamble—not only with their own lives but with the lives of innocent road users. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and eliminating dangerous speeding should be a top priority for all.
By adhering to speed limits and driving responsibly, motorists can help make our roads safer for everyone.
