Faster drivers have more crashes and contribute to around 1,200 deaths and 100,000 injuries a year in the UK, 69% of car drivers exceed the 30mph limit.

The greatest number of casualties are to car drivers and their passengers, caused by speeding and the problem is especially bad on rural roads.

Whole communities can feel threatened by speeding vehicles - parents keep their children indoors, pedestrians and cyclists avoid certain roads and pollution has an environmental impact.

The Department for Transport produces some useful guidance on UK speed limits, why they are important and what measures are commonly used to encourage drivers to stay within the limit.  Hard copies may also be available from the Road Safety Helpdesk.

• Speed - Know Your Limits (75KB - pdf help)
• Speed Limit flyer (85KB - pdf help)

What's Devon County Council doing to help?

• We have produced a Speed Management Strategy that introduces the concept, objectives, benefits and implementation of a medium term three-year speed strategy for Devon. For further information download the Speed Management Strategy for Devon (808KB - pdf help).
• We are working with communities to find solutions to local speeding problems - with an emphasis on people taking responsibility for their own behaviour in their own communities
• We help to ensure that drivers and riders , especially the young, understand the consequences of speed
• We are working with the police to target enforcement
• We are looking at speed limits to see where they can be reduced

What part can you play?

• THINK!
• Reduce your speed especially in the high risk 30mph areas and on rural roads
• Consider the consequences of your speed - are the benefits really worth the risks to yourself and others?
• If you and your community suffers a speeding problem THINK! about what part you can play in the solution and talk to us for help and advice.

For more information about speed management and speed enforcement, visit the links below:

• Public Attitudes to Speed Cameras - a short Devon survey (186KB - pdf help)
• Government Portal for Motorists
• New Directions in Speed Management
• Cost Benefit Analysis of Speed Cameras (pdf external)
• Direct Line Report on Driving
• Gatso (Speed Enforcement Technology)
• Speeding in Devon (404KB - pdf help)

For information about speed initiatives in Devon see the archived press releases below:

• Speed Sign Interacts With Motorists (182KB - pdf help) (17/12/01)
• North Devon Residents' Speed Pledge For A Safer Community (98KB - pdf help) (13/12/01)
• Latest Technology Aims To Drive Down Speeds In Exeter (113KB - pdf help) (21/11/01)
• Designer Speed Signs Unveiled In Stoke Gabriel (99KB - pdf help) (24/10/01)
• New Bid To Drive Down Speed In North Devon (103KB - pdf help) (19/09/01)
• Devon County Council Welcomes Speed Camera Survey (93KB - pdf help) (02/08/01)
• Devon County Council Backs Use Of Speed Camera Fines (109KB - pdf help) (30/07/01)
• New Speed Measures For Devon (113KB - pdf help) (07/12/99)