Most drivers break 20mph speed limits with further fury over national rollout plan

Despite this, overall speed limit compliance last year was slightly higher than in 2021, with the pandemic potentially playing a role in the lower levels of compliance.

The data found that a staggering 85 per cent of cars exceeded the speed limit on 20mph roads, with 16 per cent of cars going over the limit by more than 10mph.

Edmund King, president of the AA, urged drivers to respect the speed limits as almost five people are killed on UK roads each day.

He added: “Compliance with speed limits in 2022 was slightly better than in 2021 where we know some excessive speeders reacted to the less congested roads during covid and the perception that the police were occupied with lockdown enforcement.

“The worrying thing is that half of all car drivers exceeded the limit on 30mph roads in 2022 where arguably pedestrians, cyclists and other road users are most at risk.

“Similarly, car drivers staying the right side of a 20mph road was around 15 per cent.”

The motoring expert added that there was a need for more police officers in cars as it could help tackle the issue of motorists tailgating.

One in five drivers were found not to observe the advised two-second gap between the cars in front of them.

Edmund King also had concerns about 20mph zones, calling them “well-intended”, but questioned whether a “blanket approach” could affect how people would adapt to the changes.

He said: “Last month, more than half of drivers (53 per cent) told us they felt 20mph roads work best when they applied to the streets of significant community importance such as schools and GP surgeries. However, speeds in 20mph zones were lower than in 30mph zones so overall they do reduce speed.”

Data suggests that if someone is hit by a car travelling at 30mph, the pedestrian will have a 20 per cent chance of death.

However, if the vehicle is driving at a lower speed limit like 20mph, the risk of death is just 2.5 per cent.

On September 17, the Welsh Government is expected to change the law to slash the default speed limit on restricted roads to 20mph.

This will affect roads in residential and built-up areas, with the areas normally having street lights placed no more than 200 yards apart.

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This is being done to reduce the number of collisions and severe injuries stemming from high-speed accidents.

It has been estimated that a drop to 20mph will lead to a 40 per cent decrease in collisions, save between six and 10 lives every year and prevent up to 2,000 people from being injured every year.