New data from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) reveals that motoring offences in the UK reached a 10-year high in 2025, with a total of 812,000 prosecutions. Speeding was the most common offence, accounting for 28% of all prosecutions, an increase of 51,000 compared to the previous year.
Speeding Dominates Motoring Offences
The data shows that speed limit offences far exceeded other violations such as car tax evasion, driving licence breaches, and breaking car insurance rules. According to the MoJ, speeding prosecutions have risen sharply, reflecting a growing problem on UK roads.
Previous research by the RAC found that 81% of drivers witness others “excessively speeding” on all types of roads. A further 82% report drivers breaking the limit on motorways and high-speed dual carriageways, while 80% notice speeding on urban 30mph or 20mph roads.
Vans and Motorways: Key Concerns
Department for Transport data indicates that 44% of cars were caught speeding on motorways. More worryingly, 45% of vans were caught speeding on 30mph roads. This poses a significant risk to pedestrians, as collisions at speeds over 30mph often have fatal outcomes.
Additionally, almost half (46%) of fixed speed cameras in England and Wales are inactive, according to previous data. This raises questions about the effectiveness of current enforcement measures.
Penalties Under Scrutiny
The current minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three penalty points on a driver's licence. Accumulating 12 points within three years results in a driving ban, but points are wiped after four years. Critics argue that these penalties are too lenient to deter repeat offenders.
One proposed solution is to increase the fine to £200 and impose six penalty points per offence, or extend the duration that points remain on a licence. The threat of disqualification is seen as a stronger deterrent to encourage safer driving.
As speeding offences continue to rise, there is growing pressure on authorities to take more decisive action to address the issue.
