More than 300,000 motorists were caught driving at least 10mph over the speed limit on 20mph and 30mph roads last year, according to new figures obtained by the RAC.
The data, gathered through Freedom of Information requests sent to all 45 UK police forces, revealed thousands of drivers travelling at dangerously high speeds in built-up areas. Among the most extreme cases, one motorist was caught driving at 89mph in a 20mph zone in North Wales, while another reached 114mph in a 30mph limit near a primary school in Leicestershire.
The highest speed recorded in a 30mph limit was an astonishing 143mph on the M1 between junctions 26 and 27 near Nottingham.
Across all road types, the fastest speed recorded by police was 161mph. Two separate drivers were clocked at that speed on the A5 in Shropshire and the southbound M6 between Stoke and Stafford.
Of the 45 police forces contacted, 34 responded to the RAC's request.
Data from 28 forces showed that 32,548 drivers were caught travelling at 30mph or more in 20mph zones during 2025. Meanwhile, figures from 33 forces revealed that 271,341 motorists were recorded driving at 40mph or above in 30mph limits.
Dangerous speeds on local roads
The findings come as 20mph speed limits continue to expand across the UK.
Wales has already introduced a default 20mph limit on many built-up roads, while the Scottish Government plans to introduce similar restrictions where appropriate. In England, 62 of 153 local authorities have adopted 20mph limits in some areas, and more than half of London's boroughs now operate under the lower limit.
Supporters say reducing speed limits helps improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, with excessive speed remaining one of the biggest contributors to serious road collisions.
Government figures for 2024 show speed was a factor in 58 per cent of fatal crashes. Drivers or riders exceeding the speed limit contributed to one in five fatal collisions, with 185 people losing their lives in crashes where speeding played a role.
Drivers want tougher action
Previous RAC research involving 1,701 motorists found that four in five regularly witness excessive speeding on 20mph and 30mph roads. More than half believe there is now a culture of speeding on UK roads.
The survey also found that 55 per cent of drivers strongly support tougher action against motorists who repeatedly exceed the speed limit.
The Government's Road Safety Strategy, published in January, aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads by 65 per cent by 2035. The strategy also includes updated guidance for councils on setting local speed limits.
However, the RAC believes greater attention must be given to tackling the small number of drivers responsible for the most dangerous offences.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said the figures show some motorists continue to underestimate the risks of excessive speeding.
"More than 300 fatal collisions in a single year involved speeding, yet these tragedies are largely preventable because speeding is a choice," he said.
"We welcome the Government's plans to improve road safety, but stronger action against excessive and repeat speeding offenders is urgently needed."
Highest speeds recorded
The RAC's investigation uncovered some of the highest speeds recorded by police on roads with 20mph and 30mph limits:
- 143mph – M1 northbound between Junctions 26 and 27, Nottinghamshire (30mph limit)
- 114mph – A426 Aylestone Road, Leicester, near a primary school (30mph limit)
- 111mph – A3400 Stratford Road, West Midlands (30mph limit)
- 109mph – B6145 Thornton Road, Bradford (30mph limit)
- 108mph – Nottingham Road, Chaddesden, Derbyshire (30mph limit)
- 100mph – Recorded in both Norfolk and Sussex on separate 30mph roads
- 89mph – B5129 in Deeside, North Wales (20mph limit)
The figures highlight the scale of excessive speeding on Britain's urban roads, despite growing use of lower speed limits and ongoing road safety campaigns.