The number of drivers caught speeding in Britain has risen sharply in recent years.

It has prompted fresh concerns about road safety and driver behaviour.

Travelling too fast for conditions or exceeding the speed limit remains the second most significant factor in road crashes, with approximately 11% of all injury collisions and 24%–29% of fatal collisions.

Watching the needle

New data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) shows that speeding offences have increased by almost a third since 2022.

In that year, 678,367 motorists received an SP30 endorsement for exceeding the speed limit on public roads. By 2025, that figure had climbed to 939,519—an increase of 32%.

Motorway offences tell a slightly different story, but still highlight a longer-term upward trend.

In 2025, 216,141 drivers were caught speeding on motorways, representing a 6% drop compared with the previous year.

However, this still represents a 29% increase since 2022, underscoring the persistence of the issue across all road types.

Driver attitudes

The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by IAM RoadSmart, suggest that while enforcement may be improving, driver compliance remains a significant challenge.

Nicholas Lyes, policy and standards director at IAM RoadSmart, described the findings as deeply concerning. “The fact that more people are getting points on their licence for speeding is incredibly concerning, considering it can lead to life-changing consequences,” he said.

The data also reflects wider trends in driver behaviour.

Separate research from the charity found that speeding is commonplace among UK motorists.

In its 2025 Road Safety Report, based on a survey of more than 2,000 drivers, 61% admitted to breaking 30mph speed limits in the past year.

Nearly half (48%) said they had driven at speeds between 31mph and 40mph in those zones.

Lyes warned that such behaviour is particularly dangerous in built-up areas. “It’s particularly worrying that so many people are breaking the law where 30mph limits apply, as these are populated with more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists,” he said.

Health and safety

The safety implications are significant.

Government data indicates that speeding contributed to around 40% of all collisions in 2024, making it one of the leading factors in serious and fatal crashes.

Excessive speed not only increases the likelihood of a collision but also the severity of injuries when one occurs.

“Inappropriate or illegal speed not only increases risk, but it also means the driver is not fully in control of their vehicle,” Lyes added.

Despite decades of road safety campaigns and improvements in vehicle technology, speeding remains deeply embedded in UK driving culture.

Compared with previous decades, overall road deaths have fallen significantly, but progress has slowed in recent years, with fatalities remaining stubbornly above 1,600 annually.

While there has been a rise in the use of technology to catch speeding offenders, many road safety and motoring organisations fear that tech has been used to replace the role of and numbers of traffic police on the highways.

Police in police vehicles act as a far more effective deterrent to all road crimes and misdemeanours, and are a proven deterrent to crime in general.

Between 2010 and 2014, the number of traffic officers fell by 22%, and between 2015 and 2019, the number fell by a further 18%.

Mind altering

Penalties for speeding are well established, but may not be sufficient deterrents.

The minimum punishment is a £100 fine and three penalty points, but more serious offences can result in fines of up to 175% of weekly income, six points, or even disqualification.

In extreme cases, drivers may face dangerous driving charges, which can lead to imprisonment.

Experts say tackling the issue will require a multifaceted approach.

Increased enforcement, through fixed and average speed cameras, is one option.

Lyes suggests that “new ways to enforce limits should be considered,” noting that police resources alone cannot address the scale of the problem.

However, many believe that enforcement must be combined with a broader cultural shift.

“Above all, we need to see a shift in mindset,” Lyes said. “Speeding carries serious consequences, but the fact that it is so widespread indicates a cultural problem that needs addressing.”

The speed addiction

Road design and education also have a role to play.

Expanding 20mph zones, improving urban infrastructure, and reinforcing the message that speed limits are maximums, not targets, could help reduce risk.

While the latest figures may partly reflect improved detection and the rise of 20mph zones in urban areas, they also point to a persistent issue.

Until driver attitudes change, experts warn, speeding will continue to pose a major threat to road safety across Britain.