MPs call for zero-tolerance approach to speeding

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Mon, 25 Sept 2023

Motorists should receive a penalty for even the smallest breach of the speed limit, says the all-party parliamentary group for cycling and walking.

The group of MPs and peers say that allowing drivers leeway with speed limits has "led to a culture of impunity."

Removing the tolerances would make it safer for those walking, cycling and scootering, who are being put off by the perceived danger on the roads.

"We hold the view that speed limits and their enforcement represent the foundation of road justice because speeding accounts for the lion’s share of offences committed on the roads," said the group.

"If the working assumption is that one can speed (to an extent) with impunity, this fosters a belief that traffic law does not need to be taken seriously."

The zero-tolerance approach to speeding is one of 10 recommendations in the group’s new Road Justice Inquiry, which aims to tackle bad driving so motorists cannot get away with driving "impatiently, discourteous or, worse, maliciously".

It added that more than 8 in 10 members of the public believe it is not to speed even slightly in residential roads.

Guidelines by the National Police Chiefs’ Council includes the ’10% plus 2mph’ formula. Motorists can expect to face action only if they exceed this.

On a 20mph road, it tolerates speeds of up to 24mph before motorists receive either a fixed penalty or are sent on a speed awareness course.

On a 30mph road, it equates to 35mph. On a 70mph road, it tolerates speeds of up to 79mph before penalties can be expected.

The parliamentary group is now urging police chiefs to review this guidance – adding that, in 2021, more than half of cars and LCVs exceeded 30mph limits.

Motoring groups are warning the picture is not quite so simple, due to all the variables involved.

For example, vehicle speedometers are designed to never under-read, but are permitted to overstate speed by a margin of 10% plus 6.25mph.

While a speedometer could be indicating 70mph, the true speed could be as low as 58mph. Few car speedometers will read exactly the same speed on a given road. 

AA president Edmund King told The Times: "Speed limits are there for a reason and people should respect them… but if people are too paranoid about going 1mph or 2mph above the speed limit, that’s not conducive to road safety."

"It is better to be able to see a cyclist, or a pedestrian stepping out, rather than just to stare at the speedometer,” he added.

A government spokesman said it was considering the all-party parliamentary group’s findings.

Ask HJ

I've been served with a speeding fine for 36mph in a 30mph limit - will I be offered a speed awareness course?

After a weeks holiday in Norfolk, we had been back a few days when I received a letter from Norfolk Constabulary . It was to inform me that proceedings were to be taken against me for speeding. On the approach to a small village I saw the 30 miles per hour sign on the street sign and on the road, so I slowed down. I am 68, my wife 63, and my daughter who is disabled was in the back with her wheelchair. I am not a fast driver and had built up a queue of traffic behind me on this open stretch of road. I was doing 36 when I came to the speed traffic sign so i took my foot off the accelerator and slowed down gradually before entering the village. About 20 feet or so ahead I could see a sign that was flashing , telling people the speed they were currently doing, and beyond that a mobile police camera van to the side of the road. As I was slowing, the sign flashed up 32 for me and went off, as I reached the police van my speed on my speedometer was just a fraction under 30. It was not until I was alongside the police van that I saw the policeman standing behind with a speed handgun. I obviously have not slowed down quick enough as my offence is doing 36 mph, I stupidly thought that when you come from an open country road you reach the speed warning sign ahead and then reduce your speed before entering the village , as is the case. So I hold my hands up and apologize. I understand we will have to pay the fine, but it is the points on my license I am worried about. I do not have any points on my license but my car is our lifeline as we cannot travel anywhere by bus. I have heard about a speed awareness course, do you think I would qualify for this, because, again I would apologise and would gladly take it. I have gone over my dash cam footage as it shows my speeds, and I am doing exactly 30 mph when I come to the police van (my speedometer showed slightly under), but again, I must not have done this quick enough and should have braked harder from 36mph to 30, before entering a built up area. The letter I received is dated 02 August, and the offence is dated 25th July, and says I have 28 days to supply the information, could you tell me if the 28 days is from the date on the letter or the date of the offence. I would be grateful for any information or advice you could give me.

You may be eligible for a speed awareness course as an alternative to penalty points and a fine if you have not attended a speed awareness course within the last three years, and if your speed is within the criteria. This can vary depending on how the local constabulary chooses to apply it, but it is generally accepted to be between 10% +2mph to 10% +9mph, so for a 30mph limit this would be between 35mph and 42mph. The Norfolk Constabulary website website confirms that this is the criteria they apply, so you may be offered this option. The Notice of Intended Prosecution is deemed as served two days after it was posted, so your 28 days is counted from this point rather than the date of the offence, but we would always recommend completing and returning the form as soon as possible and using a registered postal service.

Answered by David Ross

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