“My mate got done for doing 32mph in a 30”

Rather than get into a big debate about “the bloke down the pub told me”, we thought we would show you the guidelines given to the police by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)1

“The guidance to police officers is that it is anticipated that, other than in the most exceptional circumstances, the issue of fixed penalty notices and summonses is likely to be the minimum appropriate enforcement action as soon as the speeds in the table below have been reached.”


This means that there is official leeway given to motorists exceeding the speed limit— 10% + 2mph over the posted speed limit. All Partnerships have a commitment to reach these threshold enforcement limits. NO Partnership area enforces below these limits. These enforcement guidelines are there to make sure people don’t drive around looking at their speedometer instead of concentrating on the road.

1. ACPO guidance paper on Speed Enforcement