Truth about the speeding rule everyone mistakenly thinks is true

A driving expert has lifted the lid on whether the commonly held belief drivers can go ten percent over the speed limit holds true or not. For many years, many motorists have believed that there is a “10 per cent +2 rule” when it comes to speed cameras, suggesting that drivers can exceed the speed limit without facing consequences.

However, the truth is that it’s actually up to the area’s individual forces themselves to decide, meaning drivers could find themselves with hefty fines or penalties. And motoring expert Andrew Jervis, CEO of leading online mechanic marketplace ClickMechanic, has urged caution when it comes to exceeding speed, whether it’s likely to be punished or not.

He said: “Speeding costs lives and should never be encouraged, regardless of whether it can land you in trouble or not. Speed limits are not arbitrary figures; they are carefully determined based on factors such as road design, traffic flow, and pedestrian activity.

“They should not be taken as a target that is there to be exceeded, and failure to adhere to the rules of the road can have serious consequences. In any case, the 10 percent rule is guidance for the police forces - and not a rule for members of the public.

“The misconception of a 10 percent leeway could not only see drivers getting fines and/or points on their licence, but can cause fatal road traffic collisions. As road users, we all have a responsibility to drive with consideration for others to ensure our highways are safe for all to use.”

All vehicles must abide by speed limits when using public roads, with the national speed limit on motorways and dual carriageways set at 70 miles per hour (mph). Single carriageways carry a limit of 60mph, while drivers in areas with street lighting are expected to stay below either 30 or 20 mph, depending on the jurisdiction.

In practice, the 10 per cent +2 rule could mean driving 79 miles per hour on a 70 mile per hour limit motorway could avoid punishment. It originates from speed enforcement guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers, and is designed to take into account speed guns used by the police aren’t always 100 per cent accurate.

However, it is also stated the guidelines “do not and cannot replace a police officer’s discretion”, meaning it is no guarantee of avoiding prosecution.