Speeding
Speed is a factor in almost all accidents, even if not the primary cause, it can be a contributory factor and it certainly plays a major part in the resultant casualty severity. The faster you drive, the longer it will take to stop. The results of speeding are often deadly for other road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
However careful and skilful a driver you think you are, if you are travelling too fast you will not be able to avoid hazards, whether it is a young child dashing out, a car in front stopping sharply etc.
Keeping the safety gap
Always leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front.
If travelling at 30mph or more use the 2-second rule. Watch the vehicle in front of you pass a landmark – such as a sign or tree at the side of the road. As it passes the landmark, start counting ‘one thousand and one, one thousand and two’ or say ‘only a fool breaks the two-second rule’.
If you pass the landmark before you finish saying all eight words, you are to close. Slow down, pick another landmark and repeat the words, to make sure you have increased your following distance.
Know your speed limits
Speed limits are the maximum permitted speed. They are not always the safe speed. This is being recognised more and more and has resulted in the introduction of 20mph zones and variable speed limits.
20mph zones – These are being used in residential areas to slow the traffic down.
Variable Speed Limits – These are most commonly used outside schools. For example, limit may be reduced from 30mph to 20mph during times when children are entering and leaving the school.
Watching your speed
It is an offence to exceed the speed limit. The police enforce speed limits using a number of methods. More use is being made of new technology.
- marked and unmarked cars
- in-car video
- hand-held radar equipment
- speed cameras – fixed and mobile
- visual average speed computer and recorder (VASCAR) speed detection.
The penalties
It is an offence to exceed the speed limit – offenders risk penalties, fines and/or disqualification
The fine
The maximum fine imposed can be £1000 or £2500 for a motorway offence.
Penalty points
- up to 6 points per offence
- penalty points will be endorsed on the driver's licence.
A driver who accumulates 12 or more points within a 3 year period must be disqualified
Speed limits around schools
The Scottish Executive provided funding of £27 million between 2003-2006 for the introduction of 20 mph speed limits around schools, safer routes to schools projects and the development of home zones.
In relation to 20mph schemes, local authorities have now implemented:
- mandatory 20mph zones, featuring engineering measures (traffic calming, road humps etc)
- mandatory 20mph speed limits indicated by standard speed limit signs
- mandatory part-time 20mph speed limits, which operate at times when children are going to or from school. These are indicated by electronic signs with flashing lights and are particularly suitable for through roads as delays and disruption to traffic is minimised
- advisory 20mph speed limits, which are suitable for discrete residential areas with little or no through traffic. These are also indicated by special signs.
The 20mph schemes form part of a package, along with safer routes to school initiatives, funded through Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets allocations. The aim is to improve road safety and to encourage more children to walk or cycle to school. This is better for their health and for the environment.
Related resources
Publications
Speed Quotes Student Sheet
Crash Magnets DVD Programme 4 follow-up exercises featuring various questions to support the learning about speeding
Steve Stradling - Why Drivers Speed
Annual Seminar 2005 - Steve Stradling PDF Presentation - SCOTTISH DRIVERS: WHO’S SPEEDING AND WHO’S SLOWING DOWN?
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