A relaxed attitude towards breaking driving laws in Scotland revealed

More than a quarter of Scottish motorists think it is BETTER to drive while using a mobile phone than speeding, according to new research carried out on behalf of car insurance expert Admiral.

The findings emerged from a survey of motorists after tough new legislation came in to introduce an increase in fines and penalty points for those caught driving while using a handset.

Researchers also found 62 per cent of drivers in the nation knowingly drive over the speed limit, but only 5 per cent had been caught during the last 24 months.

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And despite clear signage indicating the acceptable limits on all roads, 47 per cent of people in Scotland think it is acceptable to drive faster than they’re meant to.

While two thirds of drivers admit to intentionally slowing down to pass a speed camera, immediately speeding back up once past. However 53 per cent motorists in the nation think speed cameras in general improve road safety compared with 29 per cent that don’t. 26 per cent would like to see more speed cameras installed in their area.

A Freedom of Information request from Admiral suggests police forces and camera safety partnerships are halting the installation of speed cameras. Of the police forces that provided information to Admiral, only ten police force said new cameras had been installed in 2016.*

Alistair Hargreaves, head of service for car insurer, Admiral said: “It’s clear many motorists don’t see speeding as a particularly serious offence, and most admit they break the speed limit. We wanted to find out where motorists rank speeding in seriousness compared with a range of other offences and bad driving habits.

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“27 per cent think using a phone while driving is less serious than speeding. Both offences carry a penalty, but recently the government increased the punishment for anyone caught using their phone behind the wheel; you now face a £200 and 6 points on your licence.

“Attitudes to speeding on motorways are particularly relaxed for a lot of drivers, and the majority would like the government to raise the speed limit from 70mph.”

Admiral’s study shows 48 per cent of Scottish motorists in don’t think driving 80 miles per hour in a 70 mile per hour zone is a particularly serious driving offence.

Which explains why 81 per cent of people admit to have broken the law on Britain’s motorways, compared to 66 per cent on dual carriageways.

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27per cent of drivers in the nation say they do tend to speed on urban roads, while 26 per cent have gone faster than they should on residential streets.

But when questioned about acceptable speed limits, folk in Scotland are agreed the maximum should be 24 miles per hour on residential streets and 73 miles per hour on motorways.

Alistair Hargreaves continued: “Local authorities across the country are introducing 20mph speed limits on residential streets to try and reduce fatalities. Our research indicates motorists are willing to accept lower speed limits on these roads.

“Where motorists would like to see the speed limit raised is on motorways, that’s not surprising considering the majority already admit they drive above the limit on these roads.”

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