Call to cut countryside road speeds
Nearly half of drivers surveyed admitted they'd driven faster than the 60mph limit on rural roads last year
Last updated 15th Feb 2023
Speeding on rural roads has hit a six year high according to the RAC today.
Nearly half (48%) of the 3,000 drivers questioned in a survey admitted they'd driven faster than the 60mph limit on country roads last year, matching the highest figure ever seen by the motoring organisation back in 2016.
The 20mph limit
Figures also showed that nearly half of drivers who exceeded the speed limit in 20mph zones, say it was due to thinking the limit is inappropriate for that particular road.
69% of respondents think motorists stick to 20mph limits when there is enforcement or traffic-calming measures in place, while 65% say speed camera warnings help them abide by the law.
Half (52%) say they would be opposed to additional 20mph limits being introduced in their local area. However, a similar proportion (48%) believe some 60mph limits on unclassified rural roads should be reduced.
RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: "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.
"It's even more concerning that this figure is now back to the all-time high of 48%.
"While the number of fatalities on our roads is no longer falling, we certainly don't want to see an increase.
"We think the Government should address the issue of fatalities on 60mph rural roads by advising roads authorities to reduce limits on the most dangerous stretches to more appropriate levels.
"This is something half of drivers (48%) surveyed for the RAC Report on Motoring would like to see, with only a quarter (24%) disagreeing."
AA Charitable Trust director Edmund King, said: "Drivers have to be aware of the dangers on rural roads - slow moving vehicles, mud on the road, a higher likelihood of cyclists, horse riders and ramblers, sharp bends and blind corners - and adjust their speed accordingly.
"The varied nature of rural roads means it's very difficult to set one speed limit which is appropriate everywhere, but drivers should be aware that the speed limit is a limit, it is not a sign that 60mph is always a safe speed. Often it is not."
Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at charity Cycling UK, said cyclists are "more at risk" on rural roads than urban ones.
He added: "Tackling the risks on rural roads has to involve a serious discussion about reducing speed limits, particularly the 60mph default speed which is clearly unsuitable, unsafe and a contributor to road deaths on many minor rural roads."