Do you know the speed limit?

With 58 per cent of drivers tripping up on road speed limits, isn’t it time you reviewed your knowledge?

Even the best car insurance, can’t help if you get caught speeding. So, do you know your UK speed limits?

The need for speed

Almost three-quarters of drivers think they know the speed limits for both single and dual carriageways, according to research, but, when asked, 58 per cent got them wrong.

The research, by Direct Line and Brake, the national Road Safety Charity also found that one per cent of drivers (330,000 people) think the speed limit for motorway driving is 80mph, not 70mph. A further one per cent believe the speed limit in built-up areas is 40mph, not 30mph.

Speed is a major factor in road collisions and fatalities in the UK, and the government sets limits for safety, as well as for environmental and accessibility reasons.

Don’t get caught out

So why are UK drivers so bad at keeping to the speed limit? There are a number of factors. For starters, cars of all sizes are more powerful than ever before and can accelerate quickly.

In addition, many modern cars have better road handling and more powerful higher gears which can substantially increase speed with little or no effort from the driver.

As a result, some observers have noted that many drivers in built-up areas could be breaking the speed limit because they're driving in say fourth or fifth gear when in a 30mph zone.

Poor driving skills are also a major factor behind speeding, as drivers suffer from ‘hurry sickness’ or just a lack of attention or experience on the road.

Test your limits

So are you sure you know the speed limit? Take our speed limits quiz and find out.

Related information

Crash protocol
Advanced driving
Observing the speed limit