Skip advert
Advertisement

Three million Brits broke the speed limit last year, with 1,500 passing 112mph

More than 1,500 drivers were caught driving at 112mph or more, according to Volvo’s research

Speeding camera

More than three million Brits have been caught speeding over the past year, with 1,500 of them travelling at speeds in excess of 112mph, prompting road safety activists to call for greater education and enforcement.

A Freedom of Information request submitted by Volvo uncovered that 3,082,339 breaches of the speed limit were recorded between September 2024 and August 2025. There were 1,570 instances of speeding where drivers drove at more than 112mph – the equivalent of one every six hours. This may seem like an oddly specific speed to quote, but it’s actually the electronic limit applied to all new Volvo models since 2020.

Capturing offenders using in-car cams, plus mobile and fixed speed cameras, Northamptonshire Police saw the greatest number of drivers exceeding 112mph, at 291. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

London’s Metropolitan Police Service reported the highest number of drivers speeding in total, 731,635. Given the capital’s tight streets, the Met saw a comparatively small number of motorists travelling at three-figure speeds, just 45.

Policy and standards director at road-safety charity IAM RoadSmart, Nicholas Lyes, branded the figures as “troubling”, and added: “Far too many drivers are still willing to take extreme risks on our roads. Speeds like this can have catastrophic consequences and destroy lives.”

Lyes called for what he described as “a fundamental shift in attitudes toward speeding, so that this behaviour becomes socially unacceptable.” While measures such as blanket 20mph limits have often been touted as a solution for speeding, IAM RoadSmart has been one of the few road-safety organisations keen to say greater enforcement is required for them to be as effective as possible.

“Enforcement plays an important role, but lasting change comes through education, improved driver training, and a collective commitment to safer, more responsible driving,” Lyes said.

Our dealer network has 1,000s of great value new cars in stock and available now right across the UK. Find your new car…

Skip advert
Advertisement
Consumer reporter

Tom is Auto Express' Consumer reporter, meaning he spends his time investigating the stories that matter to all motorists - enthusiasts or otherwise. An ex-BBC journalist and Multimedia Journalism graduate, Tom previously wrote for partner sites Carbuyer and DrivingElectric and you may also spot him presenting videos for the Auto Express social media channels.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

“One of the biggest over-the-air updates in history” is coming to a Volvo near you
Volvo OTA updates - dashboard

“One of the biggest over-the-air updates in history” is coming to a Volvo near you

There’s good news if you own a Volvo running a Google-based infotainment system
News
22 Jan 2026
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond

Here are the most important new cars from Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more that you need to know about
Best cars & vans
2 Jan 2026
Iconic cars of the 1990s: the decade’s greatest high performance heroes together at last
90s heritage icons - header image

Iconic cars of the 1990s: the decade’s greatest high performance heroes together at last

The nineties saw some big changes culturally, but also plenty of star cars. We brought together some of the decade’s icons
Car group tests
20 Dec 2025
Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
29 Oct 2025

Most Popular

Some Chinese car brands are doomed to disappear, warns Skoda boss
Skoda Kodiaq - front cornering

Some Chinese car brands are doomed to disappear, warns Skoda boss

Skoda’s sales and marketing boss warns “there will be a consolidation” of the number of Chinese car brands around
News
3 Feb 2026
New Kia EV1 electric city car on the way to rival the Renault Twingo
Kia EV1 - front (watermarked)

New Kia EV1 electric city car on the way to rival the Renault Twingo

Kia's design boss lifts the lid on plans for a Renault Twingo and Volkswagen ID. Lupo rival, and our exclusive images preview how the EV1 could look
News
2 Feb 2026
Meet Renault’s new SUV: a Dacia Duster but not as we know it…
Renault Duster - front

Meet Renault’s new SUV: a Dacia Duster but not as we know it…

Posher inside and out and with more headroom, welcome to the upside down world of the Indian Duster
News
26 Jan 2026

Find a car with the experts