Drivers caught speeding just 100 meters after passing a speed camera

4 min read
  • Live road tracking of nearly 13,500 cars in London, Ediburgh and Cardiff reveals 1,000 drivers broke the law by speeding within seconds of passing a speed camera
  • Almost a quarter of drivers in Edinburgh were exceeding the speed limit 100m after passing the speed camera
  • Driving behaviour suggests avoiding the risk of a £100 fixed penalty notice is a bigger priority for drivers than driving safely

Live road tracking by Churchill Motor Insurance1 reveals almost one in ten (eight per cent) vehicles travelling over the speed limit just 100 metres after passing a speed camera. Of nearly 13,500 cars passing through speed cameras in 30 mph zones in London, Ediburgh and Cardiff, more than 1,000 drivers were breaking the law within just seconds.

The highest speeds recorded by drivers accelerating after speed cameras in 30mph zones were 57mph in Cardiff, almost double the speed limit, 50mph in London and 47mph in Edinburgh. Van and lorry2 drivers emerge as the Steady Eddies and are less likely to be speeding after they’ve passed a camera (five per cent) than cars (eight per cent). When adjusted to reflect market share, luxury car owners were the most likely to be speeding after passing a speed camera compared to other vehicles3.

A pedestrian hit at 30mph has a significant (one in five) chance of being killed4. This rises significantly to a one in three chance if they are hit at 35mph4. Even small increases in speed can lead to an increase in impact severity. The minimum fine for those caught speeding is £100 and a licence endorsement of three points, although drivers may be offered a speed awareness course, usually costing £80 to £100 as an alternative5.

Nicholas Mantel, Churchill motor lead, commented: “Analysing real driver behaviour across the UK it is clear many drivers are ignoring the speed limits except when they know there’s a risk of being caught. The fear of getting points on their licence or a £100 fixed penalty notice seems to be a bigger influence on driving behaviour than the well-known safety risks of speeding. While we know that a quarter of deadly crashes in the UK involves a speeding motorist5, statistics like this don’t seem to be enough of a deterrent. When we get behind the wheel it’s vital we remember that speed limits are there to help keep ourselves and others safe.”

Regional findings:

Drivers in Ediburgh were the most likely to be breaking the speed limit just 100m after passing a speed camera, with a quarter (24 per cent) of drivers doing so. In Cardiff this figure was eight per cent and in London6, when adjusted for congestion that would prevent a driver from speeding, seven per cent of drivers were found to be exceeding the speed limit within meters of passing through the camera zone.

Motorists drive to avoid speeding fines rather than to consistently comply with speed limits

City

London6

Cardiff

Edinburgh

Percentage of drivers speeding through a speed camera

<1 per cent

<1 per cent

<1 per cent

Percentage of drivers speeding within 100 meters of passing a speed camera

7 per cent

8 percent

24 per cent

Source: Churchill Car Insurance

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1The research was conducted by Intelligent Data for Churchill Motor Insurance. In each city, data was collected of speeds before, passing and after a speed camera. The data was collected between 22nd January 2024 and 26th March 2024.  

2Van and lorry drivers include all vehicles not categorised as a car in the research.

3 DVLA data compiled by Motorway.co.uk https://motorway.co.uk/sell-my-car/guides/most-popular-cars-in-the-uk

4 Road safety charity, Brake: https://www.brake.org.uk/get-involved/take-action/mybrake/knowledge-centre/speed/speed-and-injury

5Government information on speeding penalties https://www.gov.uk/speeding-penalties

6The regional London data presented, has been adjusted for congestion to record drivers opting to speed when it was a feasible option 

 

For further information please contact:

Hayley Saunders

PR Manager

Email: Hayley.Saunders@directlinegroup.co.uk

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. 

Churchill and UK Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group