New data has revealed that three-quarters of motorists are breaking the speed limit on free-flowing 20mph roads across England.
Figures from the Department for Transport, collected in 2024 from automated traffic counters, found the average speed recorded to be 24mph.
Experts say this shows the scale of non-compliance on stretches without cameras, sharp bends, junctions or traffic calming measures.
Whilst the average speed exceeded the limit by 4mph, approximately 10 per cent of vehicles were travelling above 30mph on these roads.
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Data has shown that drivers continue to exceed 20mph speed limits, despite the consequences
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The widespread speeding comes as a record 1.84 million people attended speed awareness courses across the UK last year, highlighting the extent of the issue.
20mph speed limit zones have expanded significantly since England's first schemes were introduced in Sheffield, Kingston upon Thames and Norwich in 1991.
Hundreds of schemes have been established across the country, with London alone converting more than 150 miles of road to 20mph since 2018.
Rod Dennis, road safety spokesperson for the RAC, acknowledged that whilst many motorists exceed the limits, the zones still reduce average speeds.
More than 150 miles of roads across London have a 20mph speed limit
ABERDEEN CITY COUNCILHe noted that speeding remains a primary factor in fatal road collisions, as backed by data from the DfT.
The expansion of these zones in towns and cities throughout Britain could be contributing to the surge in speed awareness course attendance, according to Dennis.
The debate over 20mph zones has divided road safety advocates and motoring groups, with safety campaigners calling for implementation across all UK urban areas.
Luke Bosdet, from the AA, warned that blanket restrictions could weaken the effectiveness of speed limits.
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He suggested targeting their use near schools, hospitals and pedestrian areas "where drivers can see the reasons for them being there" rather than depending solely on signage.
In Torquay, Marilyn and Norman Roberts took matters into their own hands and spray-painted "slow" on their road to discourage speeding.
They highlighted that cars speed down the road with "no regard for the speed limit", adding that they had been met with "all sorts of abuse" for trying to slow drivers down.
Motorists have voiced frustration about the implementation of these limits, with half of speeding drivers surveyed by the RAC stating they felt the 20mph restriction was "inappropriate" for certain roads.
20mph speed limits have divided opinions among drivers and road safety experts
PAAnne Page, 71, who attended a "very good" speed awareness course after being caught doing 27mph in London, supports limits where traffic, bikes and pedestrians mix.
However, she criticised the "patchy, gradual and inconsistent" signage and emphasised the need for a "high-profile campaign" to inform motorists when limits change.
Another motorist, AJ, 62, from West Drayton, was clocked at 24mph on a London A road and told the BBC that it was "exceptionally hard to sustain 20mph over a long distance".
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