There’s No Excuse for Speeding
Going too fast wrecks lives.
Every year in Scotland there are too many fatal accidents caused by speeding. Driving fast can impact innocent road users and affect people’s lives forever.
It’s up to all of us to take responsibility and slow down on our roads.
What you need to know
- We all make excuses for speeding, but the risks can’t be justified
- It's easier than you think to get caught
- Penalties are tough for a reason
- You could lose your licence and even your vehicle
- There are things you can do to help you slow down
There’s no excuse for speeding - there are devastating consequences.
Latest figures show excessive speed was reported as a contributory factor in 21% of fatal accidents. The majority of people (at least occasionally) exceed the legal speed limit:
- 33% of people admit to exceeding the speed limit by 5mph in 30mph zones at least once in the past year.
- 31% of people exceeded the speed limit by 5mph in 20mph areas in the last year.
- 8% admit to having driven at least once in the past year at 90mph on the motorway.
- 27% of drivers admit to having sped up through amber at least once in the past year.
- 13% admit they have exceeded the speed limit by 10 mph in a 30mph zone.
The Scotland-wide campaign highlights some of the excuses commonly used by drivers to justify their speeding behaviours, while reminding those behind the wheel that, if they’re caught, they could face severe penalties.
It doesn’t matter if you think you’re only speeding ‘a little bit’ – there’s no excuse for speeding.
There’s no excuse for speeding
Ways to stop going too fast
It’s always better to arrive late, than not at all. The risks from speeding are so serious, that it’s never worth it just to make up a little time.
Here are some simple tips to help make sure that you don’t need to speed.
- Leave plenty of time for your journey
- Use cruise control to stay under the speed limit
- Other technology can also help i.e. Sat-Nav warnings, Intelligent Speed Assistance
- Check your speed regularly – it’s easy to end up going faster than you think
- Know the speed limit for your vehicle and for the road you’re on
- If it’s safe, you can drive slightly under the limit
- Always try to stay relaxed when you’re driving
For more information about the campaign, which is in association with Police Scotland, visit Road Safety Scotland's website.
Safety Camera Scotland have information on their website about what happens if you get a speeding ticket and what to do next. You can also see where all safety cameras are located on Scotland's roads. More information on Safety Camera Scotland's website.