New figures have revealed that almost 3m motoring offences were recorded in England and Wales in 2024 – a 9% increase on the previous year’s figures.
Previously included within the wider Police Powers and Procedures publication, the Home Office has published the latest motoring offences data, for the second consecutive year, as a standalone Roads Policing release.
This release, with a link below, contains information on the number of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) and other outcomes for motoring offences, and roadside breath tests, for 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales, for the year ending 31 December 2024.
The data in this release can be found in the accompanying data tables.
The Independent reported that the new figures suggested that speeding accounted for the vast majority of infractions. Home Office statistics show a significant 9 per cent surge from the previous year’s 2.7m total, marking the highest number recorded since comparable data collection began in 2011, with 2.5m (86 per cent) of these incidents involved drivers exceeding the speed limit, also a new record.
More than half (51 per cent) of all offences led to drivers undertaking a retraining course. Fines were issued in 37 per cent of cases, while 12 per cent resulted in court action. The data specifically excludes the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in London, which utilises a distinct system for documenting such offences.
William Porter, policy and public affairs manager at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said the figures show there is “widespread disregard” for speed limits.
“We need a renewed focus on enforcement, education and driver behaviour. Without decisive intervention, we risk normalising dangerous driving habits that have devastating consequences.”
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis called on the Government to work with police forces to take “firm action” on speeding.
While enforcement through speed cameras has its place, greater visibility of police officers can also make a significant difference in changing driver behaviour.”
Most speeding cases result in offenders being given the opportunity to avoid prosecution by attending a speed awareness course, if they have not done so in the previous three years.
Department for Transport figures show speed contributed to 59 per cent of fatal crashes in Britain in 2024, which was more than any other factor.
Kevin Mead, head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said:
“Speeding has a devastating impact on our roads, contributing to countless avoidable collisions, life‑changing injuries and needless loss of life. With more than 8,000 speed cameras now operating nationwide, the chances of being caught are higher than ever.”
Earlier this week, Transport for London announced it will partner with the MPS to trial a new type of speed camera in up to 10 locations across the capital in the coming weeks.
Unlike conventional speed cameras, these radar-based models do not require a visible flash to capture the image of a speeding vehicle, and road markings are not needed.
(PIcture: Visonj Zero South West)
