Poll shows less than 50 per cent recognise speed limit sign

The Bedfordshire & Luton Safety Camera Partnership commissioned a public opinion survey with an independent research company to find out why people speed. A total of 500 face to face interviews were held at 10 different sampling points across Bedfordshire and Luton, and the survey has thrown up some astonishing results.

Interviewees were asked what the national speed limit sign looked like and an amazing 56 per cent answered incorrectly or said they didn’t know.

In another question, interviewees were asked the maximum speed limit for a dual carriageway - and 58 per cent gave the wrong answer. When asked the same question for a country road, 61 per cent answered incorrectly.

"With so many motorists unaware of speed limits, It’s perhaps no surprise some of them are being caught on safety cameras," said Linda Ellis, speaking on behalf of the Bedfordshire & Luton Safety Camera Partnership said. "If drivers don’t want to get a speeding ticket, our advice is to take a few moments to read the Highway Code and get to know your signs and maximum speeds."