40th Anniversary of Speed Limit

SPEED LIMIT STILL BEING IGNORED – AFTER FORTY YEARS

Privilege Insurance highlights link between speeding and accidents

Drivers are still ignoring the speed limits, forty years after they were introduced on
Britain’s motorways, according to safe driver champion Privilege Insurance.

In research to mark the 40th anniversary of motorway speed restrictions (on
November 24th 1965), Privilege found that not only have over three quarters
of drivers (76 per cent) broken the speed limit at some point in their lives, but
that they have a startling lack of knowledge of the limits that apply on Britain’s roads.

Over a third (37 per cent) of drivers were unaware of the limit for cars and motorbikes
on a single lane carriageway in non built-up areas (60 mph).

Ian Parker, Managing Director of Privilege Insurance commented:
“Motorists are worryingly unaware of the speed limits which apply on different roads,
and many of those who do know the limits seem to be ignoring them.

“Our claims data shows a direct correlation between speeding and the likelihood of
being involved in an accident . Motorists should be more aware that not only will
keeping to the speed limit result in safer roads, it will also help them keep the cost
of motoring down as they will pay less for their insurance than those with speeding convictions.”

-Ends-

Notes
i. YouGov interviewed 2,165 people on behalf of Privilege Insurance between 13th-16th August 2005.

ii. YouGov interviewed 2,037 people on behalf of Privilege Insurance between 25th-27th January 2005.

iii. Privilege’s claims data indicates that drivers with one speeding conviction are 17% more likely to make a claim than those without a conviction.