Nearly half of drivers (48%) say they drive above the 60mph speed limit when traveling on rural roads, according to the latest RAC Report on Motoring. That’s up from 44% in 2021.

It’s especially bad news as such roads are officially the most dangerous in Britain with 514 people killed on them in 11,827 collisions in 2021.

That represents a fatality rate of 4%, which is higher than the rate for motorways.

Repeat offenders

Adding to concerns is the regularity of breaking the limit. For instance, 40% of drivers say they break the limit on up to half of their journeys with 8% stating they break the limit often.

“The recent increase in the proportion of drivers admitting to speeding on 60mph rural roads is extremely worrying as more people lose their lives every year in collisions on these roads than on any other.”

• Simon Williams, RAC road safety spokesman

All roads lead to problems

Away from rural roads and the data shows the speeding problem is also prevalent on motorways and dual carriageways; 60% of drivers confess to breaking the 70mph limit, which is 5% more than those who did in 2021.

The frequency of law breaking is an eye opener too with 16% saying they speed on most journeys and 43% on up to half of their trips.

Meanwhile, 40% of drivers stated they break the 30mph limit in urban areas while 46% ignore 20mph limits.

Excuses, excuses

The main reason given for breaking the limit on motorways (as well as 60mph limits) was the driver was simply traveling at the same speed as the motorists around them.

At the other end of the scale, almost half of drivers who break the 20mph limit say they felt the limit was inappropriate for the road they were traveling on.

To combat the issue, the RAC’s research shows that nearly half of drivers (48%) believe that some 60mph limits should be reduced on unclassified rural roads – and one council is already trialling bringing down limits to 20mph.

However, 52% of motorists are opposed to any additional 20mph limits being introduced into their own local area. In other words, there is no simple solution save for not being so heavy footed.

Know Your Limits

Double your chances of theory test success with Theory Test Pro. Sign up for free here.