Liverpool Victoria, the leading insurance firm, has found that drivers paid out a total of £41 million in speeding fines during 2011. This amounted to a total figure of two million penalty points.
The research also suggested that that seven in 10 people could not identify the speed limit correctly when questioned.
This included limits on rural roads, single carriageways, dual carriageways, motorways and roads in built-up areas.
John O'Roarke, Managing Director of LV car insurance, commented on the figures:
"It is alarming that so many motorists cannot correctly identify the legal speed limit on UK roads when tested. If a driver is caught exceeding the limit by just a few mph, they can still be fined and given penalty points.
“The police data shows that more speeding motorists are being caught each year and drivers should take care to know their limits to avoid a fine, penalty points or worse."
The research suggested that drivers have exceeded speed limits by an average of 8.5mph. 4% have also gone a step further and exceeded the designated speed limit by 20mph or more.
The number of people speeding generally rose by a figure of 6% from 2010 to 2011. The average for speeding offenders has also increased. It now stands at 56mph in 2011, compared to a meagre 54mph in 2010.
Considering the statistics above, it is hardly a surprise that those questioned are eager to push for changes to current speeding laws.
30% feel that the 70mph speed limit is too slow. 64% are keen for the proposed 80mph speed limit to come into effect.
This would be a groundbreaking move on behalf of the coalition government. However, those who are pushing for it are confident that it would actually increase safety levels.
