Let’s face it. Speed kills.

Ignoring the speed limit is not only dangerous but it puts lives at risk. Speed limits are in place for a very good reason, to ensure the safety of drivers and their passengers on our roads. This is why drivers that choose to ignore the speed limit can face severe penalties.

With more speed cameras being used on our roads, abusers of the speed limit are being fined and issued with penalty points. Repeat offenders can also face a total driving ban if they rack up a number of speeding offences. Plus, how you drive on the road can also affect your car insurance premiums. The Department of Transport’s Think Road Safety Campaign estimates that drivers ignoring the speed limit contribute to 40,000 serious injuries and 1,000 deaths on UK roads each year. Driving just 5mph over the speed limit can have a deadly impact in the event of an accident.

Know your limits

Whether you’ve been driving for 20 years or have only just passed your driving test, every driver on the road should know the speed limits. Here are the speed limits for cars and motorcycles including car-derived vans with a maximum weight of 2 tonnes.

• Built up areas – 30mph

• Single carriageways – 60mph

• Dual carriageways and motorways – 70mph

The 30mph speed limit applies to cars and motorcycles on all roads in England and Wales with street lighting unless signs indicate otherwise. In Scotland, the 30mph speed limit applies on Class C and unclassified roads. If you are towing or driving another kind of vehicle, these speed limits may not apply. Always watch the roads for signs that will show you the speed limit. For the latest road rules and speed limits, visit www.highwaycode.gov.uk.

Check your speed in difficult conditions

Just because you are driving within the speed limit doesn’t mean you are driving safely. Whether it’s bad weather, road works, pedestrians, cyclists, or driving at night, there are hazards on the road that mean you should slow down. The speed limit is the maximum speed you can travel at but if it’s been snowing heavily or there are a lot of cyclists on the road, you should slow down. Driving too slowing on the road can also be dangerous. You need to be aware of what’s happening around you and reduce your speed accordingly. For more information about speed limits, safe stopping distances and driving precautions visit www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/slowdown/slowdown.htm.