Motorists 'need to stick to the speed limit'

Date: 13/5/2010

The majority of motorists have admitted to driving above the speed limit in towns and villages, according to a new report.

Mary Williams is the chief executive of road safety charity Brake and she said drivers would not dream of getting behind the wheel after consuming drugs or alcohol, but they are prepared to risk lives by going faster than they should.

The findings revealed 72 per cent of people claimed they had gone above the speed limit on roads within a 30mph zone, with more than half of these doing so on a daily basis.

Ms Williams remarked: "There appears to be widespread complacency among drivers who may think they will be able to stop in time if they are just going 'a few' miles over 30."

New technology to stop traffic speeding in areas near schools has been effective in slowing down motorists.

Trials were recently carried out in Scotland and found the typical driver reduced their speed by 13 per cent due to the warning system, which features a sign on bus stops that flashes when kids are in the vicinity.