UK Police and Speeding: Why Aren't More Speeders Caught?

The question of why UK police do not focus more resources on catching speeders is a valid concern, especially given the dangers of speeding on our roads. However, the current approach prioritizes behavior change through deterrence rather than enforcement. This article explores the effectiveness of the current system and investigates whether speeding is as dangerous as it is often portrayed.

The UK Approach to Speeding

Instead of wasting police resources on catching every speeder, the UK approach emphasizes behavior change. This involves persuading or manipulating drivers to slow down through various methods such as public awareness campaigns, education, and the strategic deployment of various enforcement tools. Camera enforcement is predominant and highly visible, with static cameras painted in bright yellow sections of the road and average speed cameras heavily signposted. The locations of mobile cameras are also made public, often through local newspapers to keep the public informed.

Resources are concentrated on known danger spots. For example, static speed cameras on major A roads just below motorway standards are placed in areas with traditional junctions and crossings, not arbitrarily along the road. This strategy reflects the tacit acceptance that on low-risk, empty rural motorways, such as the non-smart motorways, driving at 80 or 90 mph generally won't attract significant attention from law enforcement. On crowded motorways, however, speeding is virtually impossible due to traffic congestion.

Is Speeding Really That Dangerous?

One might argue that speeding is a significant danger on UK roads, but the statistics tell a different story. According to official UK statistics, only 5% of all road traffic collisions involve vehicles driven in excess of the posted speed limit. This means that in 95% of accidents, speeding vehicles are not a contributing factor. The overwhelming majority of collisions are due to other factors, such as alcohol, fatigue, distraction, or poor vehicle condition.

The assumption that a significant number of accidents are caused by speeding drivers doesn't stand up to scrutiny. If a driver is so close to having an accident solely due to their speed, they are often also guilty of driving without due care and attention. In many scenarios, traveling at high speeds in good conditions, such as on a motorway at night, is not particularly dangerous to other drivers or the individuals in the speeding vehicle, unless one stretches the definition to include minor possibilities like a tyre blowout.

The Role of Police and Speed Cameras

It's true that law enforcement could have many better ways to allocate their resources, though one often sees officers abandoning their vehicles and speeding alongside drivers they suspect of speeding. This does happen, but the use of police to catch speeders has largely been replaced by speed cameras in the UK. These cameras are extremely effective and do not require police presence to enforce the law. The police will still stop and may prosecute anyone traveling at an excessive speed in front of their vehicle, but such incidents are rare and typically involve aggressive or reckless behavior.

Amid the debate, it's essential to recognize that speed per se is not inherently dangerous. Consider the safety measures in place in commercial aviation: if all passengers were in their seats shortly after takeoff due to potential dangers inherent in high speeds, then air travel wouldn't be as safe as it is. In the same vein, when safety measures are in place on roads and drivers follow the rules, the dangers posed by increasing vehicle speed are minimized.

Conclusion

The UK's approach to addressing speeding is multifaceted, emphasizing behavior change over strict enforcement. While the statistics do not support the notion that speeding is a significant cause of accidents, ensuring road safety requires a combination of effective deterrence and education rather than constant law enforcement. As the debate continues, it's important to consider all aspects of road safety and allocate resources in a way that maximizes overall public safety.