New research by Churchill Motor Insurance has shown that 29% of motorists have attended a speed awareness course, with 11% doing so in the last three years. However, despite the educational focus of these courses, nearly a third (31%) of attendees say they went on to receive further speeding tickets afterwards.
Analysis of Home Office data reveals that 2,536,194 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued for speeding in 2024. The number of speed limit offences recorded increased by 9%, accounting for 86% of all FPNs issued in 2024. Speed awareness course attendance also surged, with more than 1.85 million motorists completing a course in 2025, the highest level on record, increasing 12% between 2024 and 2025.
With courses typically costing between £80 and £120, many drivers choose this option, if offered, over receiving the standard minimum penalty of a £100 fine and 3 penalty points. However, you can only take a course once every three years. Repeat offenders within that period, will receive a fine and points, or face court for more serious speeds.
Ministry of Justice data shows that in the year to September 2025, there were 215,601 court convictions for speeding, the highest number of convictions on record, since June 2016. Of these, 60% (130,188) were detected by speed cameras. The average fine for speeding during this period was £213.
Kevin Mead, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said:
“It’s worrying to see speeding offences continuing to rise, with many motorists reoffending even after attending a speed awareness course. 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.”
In 2024, speed remained one of the most significant factors recorded in fatal road collisions. Using data collected through the long‑standing contributory factor system and converted to the Department for Transport’s new Road Safety Factors framework, analysis shows that 59% of fatal collisions with at least one recorded factor included a speed‑related element. This makes speed the most frequently recorded factor category, ahead of behaviour or inexperience (52%) and distraction or impairment (34%), reflecting the continued importance of addressing speed‑related risks on Britain’s roads
All new cars sold in the UK now come fitted with Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology as standard. The technology uses GPS and camera‑based sign recognition to identify the speed limit, warn drivers when they exceed it, and in some cases automatically reduce engine power to help bring the vehicle back within the legal limit. While ISA is a significant step forward in road‑safety technology, only time will tell how effective it will be in reducing speeding offences and, ultimately, preventing collisions.
(Picture: Yay Images)
