2024 was a record year for motoring offences in England and Wales (excluding London), according to the latest Home Office figures.
2.93 million cases were recorded, with 86% of those being for speeding offences. This was a total increase of 9% on the previous year and the highest total since comparable records began in 2011. The level of speeding offences was also the highest since 2011.
Careless driving offences rose 27%, offences linked to handheld mobile phone use while driving increased 11%, while seat belt related offences rose 4%.
The Home Office data also shows 51% of motoring offences resulted in driver retraining, 37% led to a fixed penalty notice and 12% ended in court action. There was a slight fall in roadside breath tests, from 167,384 in 2023 to 167,095 roadside breath tests in 2024.
The AA said the continued rise in offences was a concern and underlined the importance of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, and more needs to be done to tackle the sharp increase in careless driving offences.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said drivers frequently report poor standards on the road but limited police presence. He warned that while cameras play an important role, they cannot intervene in real time, adding: “At the moment, too many people think they can get away with it.”
IAM RoadSmart said that the data equates to more than 6,800 motorists caught each day on average just for speeding.
William Porter, policy and public affairs manager at IAM RoadSmart, said the figures reflect a widespread disregard for speed limits and growing road safety risk.
“We need a renewed focus on enforcement, education, and driver behaviour”, said Porter. “Without decisive intervention, we risk normalising dangerous driving habits that have devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities.”
