Speed

The Facts

• Speed is one of the main causes of fatal road collisions.
• 3,000 people a year are killed or seriously injured in speed-related crashes.
• A pedestrian hit by a car at 40mph is four times more likely to die than one hit at 30mph. 

The Law

• You must not drive faster than the speed limit for the type of road and your type of vehicle.
• Many people don’t know the speed limits for different vehicles on different roads. See the national speed limits (Gov.uk, opens in new window).
• The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points on your licence.
• You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within three years.

The Advice

• The difference of a few miles per hour can mean the difference between life and death. The faster you drive, the less time you have to stop.
• The speed limit is a maximum not a target. In some conditions, like fog, rain or heavy traffic, even driving at the speed limit is too fast.
• Think about the consequences of causing a collision by speeding: you will have to live with the emotional consequences of causing death or injury.

Speeding safety advice from the government (Think!, opens in new window)