Half of Ireland’s drivers admit to speeding

Almost 50% of Irish drivers have admitted that they regularly break the speed limit in built-up areas.

The latest National Safety Council survey of driver behaviour revealed that 47% of men and 44% of women admitted to speeding in urban areas, where the speed limit is normally 30mph.

A staggering 47% of full licence holders admitted to breaking the law, as opposed to 40% of drivers holding provisional licences. And 50% of 17- to 24-year-olds admitted they pay no heed to the 30mph limit.

Outside of towns and built-up areas, almost one-third of those surveyed admitted that they regularly broke the speed limit on national roads - 32% of men and 14% of women questioned admitted to driving at excessive speeds on the open road.
26% of men and 13% of women even said they regularly broke the 70mph limit on motorways!

Interestingly - and herein lies the rub - a whopping 86% of those surveyed claimed they were in favour of the new penalty points system.
Perhaps it’s time motorists backed up such sentiments with actions rather than empty words...