Motorists should be penalised for even the slightest breach of the speed limit, according to a parliamentary report being released this morning.
Tolerances should be removed to make more people feel safe enough to go walking, cycling and scootering, according to the all-party parliamentary group for cycling and walking.
In its road justice report, published today, it sets out ten recommendations to tackle bad drivers and convince them they will not get away with driving “impatiently, discourteously, or, worse, maliciously”. The group is supported by 38 MPs and 20 peers.
Although it is an offence to drive at any speed over the limit, guidelines overseen by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) - which includes Police Scotland - set out a formula where motorists can expect to face action only if they break the speed limit by 10% plus 2mph.
For example, a motorist in a 20mph limit can expect to get away with driving at up to 24mph before they receive a fixed penalty or are sent on a speed awareness course.
On a 70mph road, penalties can be expected at 79mph.
The report urged police chiefs to revise the guidance, last updated in 2013. The NPCC said it had embarked on a review of its guidance but would not say why.
The parliamentary group told The Times that perceived danger on the roads consistently topped the list of reasons why people do not cycle and added: “If the working assumption is that one can speed (to an extent) with impunity, this fosters a belief that traffic law does not need to be taken seriously.
“We hold the view that speed limits and their enforcement represent the foundation of road justice because speeding accounts for the lion’s share of offences committed on the roads.”
Edmund King, president of the AA, said he was against the plans, adding: “Speed limits are there for a reason and people should respect them . . . but if people are too paranoid about going 1mph or 2mph above the speed limit, that’s not conducive to road safety.
"It is better to be able to see a cyclist on the left hand side of the road, or a pedestrian stepping out from the right, rather than just to stare at the speedometer.”
A UK Government spokesman said road safety was a priority. He added: “There are tough penalties and rigorous enforcement to crack down on motorists who break the rules. We will consider the [all-party parliamentary group] report’s findings.”