While UK traffic levels in the first lockdown fell to as low as
25% of the normal and more people took to walking or cycling,
breaking the speed limit on 30 mph roads jumped from 56% to 63%,
on 60 mph single carriageway roads it increased from 10% to 17%
and on motorways it went up from 52% to 53%, according to
Department for Transport statistics released today*. These
compare speeds between April and June of this year with the same
period last year.
However, exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph went up from 13% to
15% on motorways, 1% to 3% on single carriageway roads and 6% on
8% on 30 mph roads,
Once the lockdown started to relax, breaking the speed limits
returned to normal levels even though there was still much less
traffic on the road – down to 80% by the end of June.
“It is worrying that more drivers broke the speed limit when
there was less traffic on Britain’s streets during the lockdown.
Also of great concern was the increase on 30 mph roads, given
there were more pedestrians and cyclists exercising or avoiding
public transport during the first lockdown. However, despite some
high-profile law-breakers, UK roads didn’t turn into racetracks,”
says Jack Cousens, head of AA Roads Policy.
“Early in the lockdown, there were incidents of extreme speed on
motorways, main roads and even residential streets, particularly
around London, as offenders thought the police would be busy
enforcing the lockdown. However, through a series of high-profile
‘collars’ and social media, the police made it clear they were
still on the case and that extreme speeders would be targeted.
“Additionally and carrying on through the second lockdown, rural
police forces have had to crack down on speeding along quieter
country roads and villages. However, as well as the law, speeders
face another threat that could kill or seriously injure them and
their passengers.
“Two-fifths of drivers most likely to drive at night encountered
more deer and wildlife in the road during and just after the
lockdown, research by the AA and British Deer Society uncovered.
In May, emergency services in the South West had warned that
quieter evening roads had lulled animals into a false sense of
security on roads.
“In stark contrast, lockdown road restrictions initially intended
to improve social distancing by travellers wary of public
transport, brought urban road speeds down to a crawl in places as
traffic was squeezed into less road space. Along one London road
recently, 17 buses were left stationary by a resulting traffic
jam.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/vehicle-speed-compliance-statistics-for-great-britain-january-to-june-2020
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/13/increase-in-speeding-incidents-on-uks-quiet-lockdown-roads
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-53215121
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-55014354
http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=councillorsblog182.htm
https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/18442977.driver-taken-hospital-crash-deer/
