Drivers accused of 'culture of speeding' as motoring offences hit record high

The number of motoring offences has risen 9% in a year to a record high across England and Wales, excluding London, according to latest official statistics.

Home Office figures show there were 2.93 million offences registered in 2024, the most since comparable statistics began in 2011, and up on 2.69 million the previous year.

The vast majority of offences - 2.53 million or 86% of the total - involved speeding, another record high.

Motoring groups said the figures are of "great concern" and are warning that a lack of "decisive intervention" from police risks "normalising dangerous driving habits".

Fines were issued in 37% of all the offences, while 12% involved court action and 51% resulted in a driver taking a retraining course.

The figures exclude London, as the Metropolitan Police uses a different system to document offences.

But the Home Office said the capital's force recorded nearly 600,000 motoring offences in 2024, a 19% increase from 2023.

Department for Transport figures show speed contributed to 59% of fatal crashes in Britain in 2024, more than any other factor.

Careless driving was among the most common offences in 2024, and saw a 27% increase on the year before. The use of handheld mobiles, which was up 11%. The "neglect of traffic signs and directions and of pedestrian rights" increased by 6%.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, told Sky News the figures were of "great concern" and "more needs to be done to tackle these offences" by increasing the number of traffic officers.

"AA members say they regularly see examples of poor driving standards but rarely see traffic officers on patrol," he said. "At the moment, too many people think they can get away with it."

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis had a similar message: "Half of drivers believe there is a culture of speeding in the UK. We urge the government to work with police forces and take firm action."

"While enforcement through speed cameras has its place, greater visibility of police officers can also make a significant difference in changing driver behaviour," he added.

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In the case of speeding, some offenders can avoid prosecution by attending a speed awareness course, costing between £80 and £120.

But Churchill Motor Insurance said it had commissioned a survey which indicated 31% of drivers who attended a speed awareness course in the past three years were caught speeding again.

William Porter, policy and public affairs manager at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said the Home Office figures showed there was "widespread disregard" for speed limits.

"Without decisive intervention, we risk normalising dangerous driving habits that have devastating consequences," he added.

Separately, Transport for London (TfL) has announced it will partner with police to trial a new type of speed camera which does not require a visible flash to capture an image of a speeding vehicle.

Unlike conventional speed cameras, the radar-based system, which is being installed at up to 10 locations across the capital, can also cover up to five lanes of traffic in two directions.

(c) Sky News 2026: Drivers accused of 'culture of speeding' as motoring offences hit record high