The Winter weather and approaching holiday period will bring many more Brits opting to travel via car and, suggested by new research, nearly half of which believe the motorway speed limit should be significantly revised. The usual 70 mph limit is now under fire by drivers asking for a 10 mph increase following data which states a third to have broken driving speed regulations.
New, exclusive data from ChooseMyCar.com, which surveying 2,000 individuals in September 2025, states that a substantial 43% of Brits support this petition — 55% being men compared to 32% of women. With more than half of the male consesus pushing for more speed, it is no surprise that Gen Z drivers are equally, if not more, eager for looser road rules.
The used car marketplace revealed that 59% of drivers between the age of 18-34 also agreed with the need for updated speed limits. This was compared to those within the 34-54 age bracket, where a lesser 48% were in favour. As expected, this support lowered to 30% for those asked over 55.
The data was also analysed by location, conveying some variety between regions. The report read that more than half of those based in cities such as London, Nottingham and Liverpool were in approval of the the increase, whereas those in Scotland, Wales and Leeds were 14% less likely to agree, at only 38%. Comparing populations — and with London’s residents now estimated to be 9,840,740 — the nation’s overall response appears to be in need for an increase.
Interestingly, Choose My Car also highlighted that nearly a third of UK drivers have already reached speeds of 80 mph or more, with 29% those surveyed admitting breaking motorway limits. Men were shown to be more likely to speed, as 34% compared to only 22% of women admitting to breaking the speed law.
Gen Z scored highest in terms of speeding: with 36% sharing they had already driven at 80mph or above; 33% of 35-54 year olds following; and 19% of over 55s being least likely. Manchester appeared to be the city of speeders with 36% found to break the limit.
The 70 mph standard has stood unchanged for 58 years, despite modern developments to engineering. Since then, seatbelts have been legally implemented and the total stopping distance largely reduced. Additionally, neighbouring countries also reflect Brits beliefs of higher limits, with France’s limit standing at 80 pmh and Germany known to exact its “autobahns,” where maximum limits do not exist.
Choose My Car revealed that, as a result of a Freedom of Information request to Thames Valley Police, sources found 53% of speeding offences above 70mph were between the 70-79 mph mark, and a further 42% were between 80-89 mph. Founder of the marketplace, Nick Zapolski, commented on these findings, writing: “Modern day cars have improved beyond comparison in the last 60 years – and yet the motorway limit has remained the same. This does seem ludicrous, and it seems many Brits are already driving beyond the limit anyway”. Zpoloski concluded that the data proved “Brits are ready for a review of the limit, perhaps more in line with some of our European neighbours”.