Speed limits continue to be broken

The country's 50mph speed limits are regularly broken by 85% of lorry drivers, government figures show.

And the Department for Transport statistics for 2008 revealed that more than three quarters of truckers exceed the 40mph limits too.

The figures show that nearly half (49%) of cars go faster than the 70mph limit on motorways, with 15% exceeding 80mph.

However, while 69% of cars broke the UK's 30mph limits in 1998, fewer than 50% did so in 2008.

Research looking at the use of Britain's roads found that the distance travelled by motor vehicles in 2008 fell by around 0.8% compared with 2007 - the first fall since 1979 but still 11% higher than the distance travelled in 1998.

The distance travelled by cars fell 0.6% last year, while light van traffic, which was down 0.4%, fell for first time since 1992.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "It seems the police and the Government are now prepared to accept law-breaking on a massive scale.

"If they believe higher speeds are appropriate, they should have the courage of their convictions and propose raising the limits."

Get a car insurance or home insurance quote now.