Spike in speeding cases as convictions reach eight-year high
The number of drivers convicted for speeding has reached an eight-year high, according to new figures.
Analysis of government data by Churchill Motor Insurance showed speeding cases are on the rise, setting off alarm bells around the safety of UK roads.
Nicholas Mantel, head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: “Speeding is one of the main causes of road accidents and our research suggests that the problem is getting worse.”
Speeding convictions hit an unnerving high
The findings revealed that some 236,480 motorists were prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit in England and Wales in 2022.
This represents a 16% rise on the total in 2021 (203,545) and was the highest in records dating back to 2014.
Nottinghamshire Police saw the largest year-on-year increase in 2022, with conviction numbers doubling from 4,089 to 9,444.
This was followed by Gloucestershire (up 100%), Leicestershire (up 92%) and Derbyshire (up 86%).
Simon Williams, road safety spokesperson at the RAC, said: “the figures make for grim reading… while it is clearly wrong to be just a few miles an hour over the limit, arguably it is prolific excessive speeders who are putting people’s lives in danger.”
Consequences of speeding to the driver
The analysis found that nearly three out of four people taken to court for speeding were convicted.
Those charged are given £100-fines and penalty points, with some drivers being given the option to participate in a retraining course.
In the case of serious incidents or if the driver denies exceeding the speed limit, a court hearing will generally take place.
Fines can reach a maximum of £2,500 for speeding on a motorway in such cases.
According to Nicholas Mantel, “Many drivers accidentally creep above the limit rather than speeding deliberately.”
“While most people receive a fixed penalty notice for speeding, more serious or contested cases end up in court.”
“This data shows that drivers who appear in court for speeding are usually convicted, and the fines are deservedly steep.”
Did you know more cars are being stolen today than in previous years? Find out more: Car theft up by 25% in 2022.
