UK's speeding hotspots announced as £10m of fines issued a year - see full list

12 January 2024 , 10:04

962     0

Some areas fare much worse than others when it comes to speeding (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

Areas in the UK with the highest number of speeding tickets have been revealed - with more than a million speeding fines issued in 2022 alone, costing motorists £10 million.

New data by pay-as-you-go insurer Veygo looked at the number of fines recorded by police forces - and some areas fare much worse than others. Of the 25 police forces that responded, it was found that over one million (1,049,640) speeding fines were issued in 2022. These offences carry a minimum of three points and a £100 fine, meaning motorists were set back at least £10 million from fines in 2022.

So far, 2023 figures from January to August show a whopping 639,042 offences have already been recorded - which means the UK is set for an alarmingly high year of speeding fines in 2023.

Avon and Somerset, home to Bath and Bristol, was found to be the top region where drivers recieve the highest number of speeding tickets. The region offers more than 100 miles of coastline, and motorists taking a faster drive here are getting nearly four times the speeding tickets than the UK's average of 41,986.

At the opposite end of the list, the region with the fewest speeding tickets and most likely to adhere to speed limits was Cleveland, with only 267 speeding tickets issued in 2022. Celeveland is closely followed by Gwent (300), Nottinghamshire (1,022), Surrey (1,608), and Merseyside (1,927) - all receiving fewer than 3,000 speeding tickets in 2022.

'Dangerous' driver sparks fury after placing 'insane' note on back window

Men were found to be twice as likely to speed on average with 462,950 men fined, compared to 214,373 women. While age was found to have more regional differences across the UK, some regions like Bedfordshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire found drivers in their 40s were more likely to speed. Dorset on the other hand recorded a more senior 50–59-year-old speeder as the average offender, busting the ‘speed racer’ stereotypes usually associated young drivers.

The UK’s top 10 regions for speeding

Drivers were set back at least £10 million from fines in 2022 (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

1. Avon and Somerset - 164,481 speeding fines issued

2. West Mercia - 114,084 speeding fines issued

3. Warwickshire - 91,495 speeding fines issued

4. West Midlands - 87,445 speeding fines issued

5. Norfolk - 58,909 speeding fines issued

6. Dorset - 55,953 speeding fines issued

7. Hertfordshire - 55,055 speeding fines issued

8. Leicestershire - 53,073 speeding fines issued

9. Staffordshire - 52,249 speeding fines issued

   Driver rams police officer off motorbike then speeds away in horror hit and run

10. Bedfordshire - 51,877 speeding fines issued

Veygo is reminding all drivers and their passengers not to rush on the roads in 2024, so their licenses and freedoms aren’t compromised, and they don’t risk higher insurance premiums.

James Armstrong, CEO of the insurance company Veygosays: “Speed limits exist to keep all motorists and other road users safe, and exceeding these can risk points on license and fines; not to mention danger to road users and pedestrians. Not only is speeding a risk to passengers and pedestrians alike, but it does not result in drivers getting to their destination any quicker. For example, if the speed limit is 70mph and a motorist travelled at 80mph for ten miles, aside from breaking the speed limit which is illegal, they would only get to their destination one-minute faster7, so it’s not worth it.

Avon and Somerset received the highest number of speeding tickets (Getty Images)

“As we know, drivers who reach 12 points on their license are at risk of being disqualified from driving which is why it’s increasingly important for motorists to remain vigilant and adhere to road safety. For new drivers the penalty is even stricter; receiving six or more points within two years of passing a test can result in their license being cancelled and having to retake the whole testing procedure.

“We recognise that the freedom that driving offers motorists and their passengers is unmatched, so motorists need to continue to drive responsibly, in accordance with the Highway Code. It’s important to be aware that points can contribute to a higher insurance premium, which may be a concern for people who are worried about this contributing to annual costs. However, pay-as-you-go cover may help alleviate some of the financial effects felt by young drivers and mean they only pay for cover when they need it.”

Zahra Khaliq