UK Drivers Most Likely to Speed at 8:27am, Reveals New Poll

A revealing new poll has pinpointed the precise moments when British motorists are most likely to flout the law and exceed the speed limit. The research, commissioned by AXA Retail, sheds light on the dangerous habits of drivers across the UK.

The Riskiest Times and Places

The survey of 2,000 motorists discovered that a significant quarter of drivers admit to regularly breaking the legal speed limit. The data identified the most common times for this behaviour as 8:27 in the morning and 7:15 in the evening, coinciding with the daily rush hour.

Furthermore, the research found that familiarity breeds complacency. Almost half (close to 50%) of those surveyed confessed they are more prone to speed on roads they know well, or when they perceive the roads to be emptier than usual.

Why Drivers Break the Law

The poll uncovered a variety of reasons behind these traffic violations. A surprising 15% of drivers admitted that a desperate need to use the toilet was a key motivator for speeding. Other prominent reasons included dealing with a medical emergency or simply misjudging the speed limit of a particular road.

Alain Zweibrucker, CEO of AXA Retail, which conducted the study as part of its ‘Backseat Boss’ road safety initiative, emphasised the dangers. "It's vital for motorists to stay alert when on the road and avoid distractions that can cause accidents," he said. "This is especially important near schools, yet you still see many ignoring signs even when children are nearby."

Consequences and Public Opinion

Ignoring the Highway Code has tangible financial repercussions. Of those caught speeding, 29% faced increased insurance costs, 18% had to pay a higher excess, and 6% were forced to move to a specialist high-risk insurer.

Despite this, a conflicting 22% of drivers believe that current UK speed limits are too low. On the other hand, there is strong public support for safer measures around schools. Nearly nine in 10 (90%) believe a blanket 20mph speed limit should be enforced outside primary schools during drop-off and pick-up times, and 86% feel local authorities should collaborate more with schools to improve road safety.

Katrina Phillips, CEO of the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), highlighted the critical need for caution. “While it might be tempting to speed in an area we know well, what we can’t anticipate is a child suddenly running or veering out in front of us,” she stated. “The speed we drive at can be the difference between life and death for that child.”

The influence of younger passengers was also notable, with 19% of drivers reporting that a child had commented on their driving. Of those, 30% were told they were driving too fast.

THE TOP 10 REASONS DRIVERS BREAK A DRIVING LAW: