Home   News   Article

Campaign reminds motorists there’s no excuse for speeding – even a little bit


By Alan Beresford

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

THERE is no excuse for speeding – that is the core message of a new campaign urging drivers to keep their speed down.

A poster from the campaign drives home the anti-speeding message.
A poster from the campaign drives home the anti-speeding message.

The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland are currently running a campaign to tackle the serious issue of speeding, delivering a clear message for drivers – "there’s no excuse for speeding, even if it’s just a little bit".

According to the campaign, speeding is one of the riskiest driving behaviours, with travelling too fast for the conditions or excessive speed reported in 21 per cent of fatal collisions, and in 10 per cent of all reported accidents.

Exceeding the speed limit on all road types is surprisingly common. Some 33 per cent of people admit to exceeding the speed limit by 5mph in 30mph zones at least once in the past year, while a further 31 per cent admit to exceeding the speed limit by 5mph in 20mph areas in the last year.

Eight per cent admit to having driven at least once in the past year at 90mph on the motorway.

Over a quarter – 27 per cent – of drivers admit to having sped up through amber at least once in the past year.

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth MSP.
Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth MSP.

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “Speeding remains a factor in a number of fatal and serious collisions every year.

"That’s why I welcome this campaign to tackle this serious issue and deliver a clear message to drivers.

“A collision involving speed can have far-reaching consequences, not only affecting the driver but also their family, the victim’s family, emergency services, and people who witness the incident.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re only slightly over the speed limit - however you try and justify it, there is no excuse for speeding.”

According to Police Scotland many drivers try and justify their speeding behaviour when they are caught, with excuses including running out of petrol, the road being quiet, trying to beat the rush hour, knowing the road well, and other traffic also being perceived as exceeding the speed limit.

Head of Road Policing Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock. Picture: Police Scotland
Head of Road Policing Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock. Picture: Police Scotland

Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, head of road policing, said: “All too often police officers experience first-hand the tragic consequences of excessive speed on our roads.

“The dangers of speeding are well-known and the consequences can be devastating, life changing and long lasting. Excessive or inappropriate speed can cause serious harm to others, especially more vulnerable road users and it’s a risk not worth taking.

“If you're caught speeding you will be fined, have your licence endorsed and could even lose your licence.”

Running across multiple platforms including radio and digital, the Scotland-wide campaign highlights some of the excuses commonly used by drivers to justify their speeding behaviours, while reminding those behind the wheel that, if they are caught, they could face severe penalties.

By repeating the words "a little bit" over and over, the ad emphasises that it does not matter that a driver is only slightly over the speed limit – they know there is no excuse for speeding.

For more information visit roadsafety.scot/topics/speed or check out the Road Safety Scotland Facebook and Twitter pages.





This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More