The UK government is set to mandate anti-speeding technology in all new vehicles following an RAC investigation revealing over 30,000 motorists were caught driving at 30mph or more on 20mph roads last year. The fastest speed recorded was 161mph on the A5 in Shropshire and the M6 in Staffordshire.
Extreme Speeding Cases Uncovered
Freedom of Information requests sent to all UK police forces yielded data from 28 forces showing 32,548 motorists exceeded 30mph on 20mph roads in 2025, driving at least 50% above the legal limit. Among 33 forces, 271,341 motorists were caught at 40mph or more on 30mph roads. Notable incidents include a driver clocked at 89mph on a 20mph stretch of the B5129 in Deeside, North Wales, and another at 114mph on a 30mph road near a primary school in Aylestone, Leicestershire.
Government Response and Road Safety Strategy
A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson stated: “There’s no excuse for those who choose to speed and put lives at risk. While we have no plans to mandate speed control technology, our road safety strategy includes proposals to fit all new cars with systems that warn drivers when they exceed the speed limit.” The government’s road safety strategy, published in January, targets a 65% reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by 2035, alongside new guidance for councils on setting speed limits.
RAC Calls for Stronger Measures
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Our analysis shows some of the frankly chilling speeds some people are prepared to drive at – and these are just the cases the police are aware of. The fact that some were recorded in residential areas, even near schools, in daytime hours when others might well have been using the roads underlines just how dangerous this kind of behaviour is.” He urged the government to give courts power to order dangerous speeders to have intelligent speed assistance devices fitted, which actively prevent vehicles from exceeding the limit.
20mph Limits Expanding Across UK
Wales has adopted a 20mph default in built-up areas, and the Scottish Government plans similar implementation. In England, 62 of 153 local authorities have adopted 20mph policies. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has extended 20mph zones to over half the capital’s roads, though TomTom blamed this for London being the world’s “slowest capital city to drive in.” DfT figures show speed was a factor in 58% of fatal crashes in 2024.
Recent Sentencing Highlights Dangers
Daniel Tunstead, 35, of Widnes, was sentenced at Mold Crown Court to an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and a three-year driving ban after being caught driving at 167mph on the A55 near Bangor, North Wales, on February 23. He admitted dangerous driving, drug-driving, and driving without insurance.
