Convictions for speeding at an eight-year high according to new figures
Speeding convictions at highest point in eight years according to new figures
- In England and Wales, 236,480 motorists will be prosecuted for speeding in 2022
- The number of convictions doubled in Nottingham from 4,089 to 9,444
The number of drivers convicted of speeding has reached its highest point in eight years, new figures show.
According to analysis of government data by Churchill Motor Insurance, approximately 236,480 motorists were successfully prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit in England and Wales in 2022.
That represented a 16% increase over the 2021 total (203,545) and was the highest in records dating back to 2014.
The RAC said the figures indicate an increase in cases of serious speeding offences.
Nottingham was the police area with the largest year-over-year increase in 2022, with convictions more than doubling from 4,089 to 9,444.
236,480 motorists successfully prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit in England and Wales by 2022 (File photo: Speed camera in Leeds, West Yorkshire)
This was followed by Gloucestershire (+100%), Leicestershire (+92%) and Derbyshire (+86%).
The analysis found that nearly three out of four people brought to trial for speeding were convicted.
Most people caught speeding are fined £100 and either demerit points or offered to attend a retraining course.
But cases involving serious incidents or motorists denying over the limit often end up in court, where fines can be as high as £2,500 for speeding on a motorway.
Nicholas Mantel, head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: ‘Speed is one of the main causes of road accidents and our research suggests the problem is only getting worse.
“Many motorists accidentally go over the limit rather than deliberately speeding.
“While most people receive a lump sum fine for speeding, more serious or disputed cases go to court.
“These data show that drivers who appear in court for speeding are usually convicted and fines are justifiably high.”
Speeding doubled in Nottingham from 4,089 to 9,444 (File photo: 50 mph speed limit sign and the presence of speed cameras on the A1 at Durham)
RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: ‘These figures are grim as speeding is a contributing factor in far too many road accidents.
‘The fact that the number of court convictions has increased in a year seems to imply that the share of serious cases that have to be dealt with in court has increased.
“While it is clearly wrong to speed even a few miles per hour, it is probably the prolific excessive speeders who endanger people’s lives.
An increase in these motorists will have frightening consequences for the safety of our roads.
“And while it’s a good thing that those who break the law get caught, it would be much better if drivers just obey the speed limits, because they’re there for a reason.”