Speed campaign

You know there's no excuse for speeding on Scotland's roads.

Speed related content:

A little bit of speeding could land you in a lot of trouble

You’re running a little bit late. You’re only a little bit over the speed limit. The roads are quiet. You’re just doing what everyone else does. You’re a careful driver, you’re in control. These are the things we all tell ourselves when we drive too fast on Scotland’s roads.

But speeding can have devastating consequences, and people die or are seriously injured every year because of drivers who are ‘just a little bit’ over the speed limit. And the damage doesn’t stop with the victim – you could lose your licence and your livelihood, even your own family – all to try and save a little bit of time.

Do the RIGHT thing

Start by admitting that speeding has serious consequences for everyone involved then make an active choice to stick to the limits when you drive.

A little bit over is still too much – there’s no excuse for speeding.

Stay safe - always drive at the right speed

Most drivers admit to at least occasionally exceeding the speed limits on our roads1. Yet even just a little too fast is dangerous – especially in hazardous conditions. Are you familiar with these common excuses for driving too fast? But how would you feel if your careless driving killed someone? How would you cope with the devastating impact on the victim’s family, the paramedics at the scene or the people who witnessed it?

1 RITS: Driver attitudes and behaviours tracker, Wave 21 – August 2021, Progressive, September 2022.

Excuses

Excuse #1

Quiet roads – particularly at night

Excuses

Excuse #2

Familiar roads that you drive regularly

Excuses

Excuse #3

Trying to ‘beat the traffic’ because you’re running late or want to save time

Excuses

Excuse #4

Speeding up to overtake safely

Excuses

Excuse #5

Not realising you were speeding because you were distracted or you sped up to keep up with other drivers

Excuses

Excuse #6

You think the speed limit is too slow for the road

Slow down! Save lives and your licence

  • A fixed penalty notice for speeding could mean a £100 fine and three points on your licence
  • 12 or more penalty points in a three-year period can lead to disqualification. If you’re a new driver, 6 points lead to disqualification
  • Speeding fines can cost you up to £1,000 (up to £2,500 for motorway driving) following a court appearance

Also worth noting:

The New Drivers Act 1995 imposes a probationary period of two years on new drivers after they have passed their driving test. If a new driver accrues six or more penalty points in that time they must immediately revoke their licence, and start all over again.

If you end up in court, you could even lose your driving licence

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