14/10/2005

Four million motorists* confess to breaking the speed limit every time they get behind the wheel. A further eight million admit to speeding each time they drive on the motorway according to a report into ‘attitudes to motoring’ released today by Churchill Car Insurance.

The report shows that increasing numbers of speed cameras, variable speed limits, fines or bans are having little impact on Brits' need for speed.  In fact, as many as 80 per cent of convicted speeders say they haven't changed their behaviour following a fine or even a ban.  Half admit that they only stop speeding when they actually catch sight of a speed camera. 

Churchill believes increasing numbers of speeding fines or new 'cats eye' speed traps will simply not have the impact needed – over half of all motorists claim their speeding 'just seems to happen', suggesting they don't even pay attention to their speedometer or road signs.  Instead, Churchill argues, something needs to be done to educate repeat offenders highlighted in the survey.

Darren McCauley, head of car insurance at Churchill said: "With today's busy lifestyles, it can be easy to fall into bad driving habits and let speeding become the norm. As repeat offenders are the main problem, the new 'speed school' initiative could help reduce the numbers of accidents caused by speeding by tackling the root of the issue rather than letting people get into a speeding point cycle."

Speeding more acceptable than drink or drug driving

Government drink drive campaigns are really beginning to hit home but the same cannot be said for speeding.  Two thirds of motorists interviewed think speeding is more acceptable than drink or drug driving.  And despite the fact speeding is the greatest attributable cause of fatal road accidents**, a quarter of drivers believe it is socially acceptable to break the speed limit and do not take it too seriously.

Darren McCauley, Head of Car insurance at Churchill said: "Speeding doesn’t carry the same social taboo as drink driving, but can have serious consequences.  More drivers need to be more aware that speeding is not simply a minor offence, but instead a major cause of road fatalities."

Key points from Churchill’s survey also reveal a 'Jekyll and Hyde' make-up of British drivers:

• 7.1 million drivers believe speed limits are too low
• 3 million drivers do not know the national speed limit
• 5.7 million drivers find it too hard to keep to the limit
• 1 million drivers say that they see speed limits as a target to reach
• 8.1 million think speed limits should be lower around schools

*Based on Department for Transport figures of number of full licensed drivers in the UK - 33,771,698

**Excessive speed as a contributory factor to personal injury road accidents, DfT Sept 2004

For more information please contact:

Frances Browning
Churchill Insurance
020 8313 5965

pressoffice@churchill.com