New rule change on speeding motorists sees big results.

The unknown rule change has been labelled a ‘stealth’ move by commentators and is likely to see thousands more prosecuted for speeding in the UK. The rules around breaking the speed limit have been changed in a so-called ‘stealth’ move that could see thousands of drivers face fines.

Small but significant

The Metropolitan Police have only reduced tolerance of speeding by 1mph. However, this has led to a  reported 259% increase in the number of drivers who will be punished.

Up until recently, police guidelines stipulated that drivers should be given some leeway. In part it was to ensure inaccurate speedometers could not be blamed. The formula used is is the posted speed limit, plus 10% plus 3mph.

This meant a driver could get away with speeding at 25mph in a 20mph zone before facing punishment. Under the Met Police’s change, a motorist in a 20mph limit can now expect to get away with driving at 24mph before being penalised.

The law is the law

The change was sanctioned by the force in 2019 but has only recently been implemented and without public notice. Now around 347,000 drivers have been warned they will be prosecuted for speeding in the first six months of 2022. This compares to only 97,000 people in the second half of 2021, the Times reports.

When asked over the change, the force was reported as saying: “Posted speed limits are the maximum speed that road users should travel at any time … irrespective of the speed threshold that police commence enforcement action.”

Other forces have not made the change, yet. According to the National Police Chiefs Council, the stricter formula is likely to be used .