Half of motorists think it’s acceptable to break speed limits
A Direct Line survey found that 50 per cent of UK drivers think it’s alright to break the speed limit, while 78 per cent admit to doing it
Half of motorists think it’s okay to go faster than the speed limit, according to a survey of 2,004 people conducted by insurance company Direct Line.
On average, drivers who admitted to speeding thought it would be acceptable to go 25mph in a 20mph zone; 35mph in a 30mph zone and 46mph in a 40mph zone.
This could help explain why 39 per cent of UK motorists have been caught speeding, often travelling at an average of 37mph in a 30mph zone, 51mph in a 40mph zone or 61mph in a 50mph zone.
The south-west is the place with the most drivers admitting to speeding, at 84 per cent, while only 71 per cent of those in Yorkshire say the same.
Direct Line’s director of car insurance, Rob Miles, said: “Speeding is one of the biggest causes of accidents and casualties on UK roads.
“However, speed limits are set for a reason, and 20mph and 30mph zones are often around schools, hospitals and other highly pedestrianised zones, where going over the limit could prove fatal in the event of an accident.”
