The New Normal? Exploring the Drop in Driving Speeds Across the UK

Is it just me, or is traffic slower these days?

Lately, it feels like traffic’s moving slower—even when there’s no traffic. You glance at the speedometer, doing 70 in the fast lane, and nobody's tailgating. Are UK driver's really slowing down?

There is a growing sense that our national driving habits are shifting. Whether it's new speed limits, more speed cameras, high fuel prices, or even a post-pandemic change in mindset, something is slowing us down. 

Let's explore the possible reasons.

Across the country, drivers seem to be dialing things back. On the motorway, once the domain of 80mph-plus regulars, it's not uncommon to see traffic flowing closer to the limit- or even below it. On rural country lanes, the urgency of the past seems to be fading.

Everyday driving reinforces the feeling. I find myself being overtaken by fewer vehicles than before. People are hesitating more at roundabouts. Even on clear stretches, the ‘Sunday driver’ seems to come out on Tuesday mornings.

That’s not to say everyone’s slowed down- there is still some frustration and aggression. Rush hour drivers don’t seem to have slowed down much either.

But the pace, and dare I say, passive aggressive nature of British roads seems to be disappearing.

One clear reason? Speed limits are changing. Wales made headlines introducing a 20mph default speed limit in many urban areas, and several London boroughs have followed suit.

Recently, roll backs to 30mph have been introduced on specific roads, but most have remained.

At the same time, enforcement has become smarter and harder to dodge. Average speed cameras now span long stretches of motorways and A-roads.

Financial pressures facing UK households can’t be ignored either. Constantly fluctuating fuel prices may impact the way some people drive. Fewer, less spontaneous trips may also be a consideration.

Modern cars are subtly encouraging slower drivers. Adaptive cruise control keeps speeds steady and conservative. Mandatory speed warnings in new cars constantly remind us of the speed limit.

Who’s behind the wheel also matters. The UK has an aging population, with older motorists being more cautious and law-abiding. Younger drivers also seem to not be interested in speed as much as they were in the past. They are more focused on the technology inside the car.

Post-pandemic shifts in work patterns is another point of consideration. With fewer people commuting five days a week, peak traffic and work stress isn’t quite what it was.

But here’s my opinion.

The biggest culprit is the rise of automatics. I and countless others always noted the difference in driving style between Brits and Americans. Americans always seemed to drive smoother and less aggressively than Europeans generally, presently and in the past.

But why? In car technology and increased traffic enforcement is a more recent phenomenon. Additionally, fixed speed cameras are not widely used in the States.

But Americans have always been a wide adopter of the Automatic. They promote a more relaxed driving style, lowering the driver’s heart rate.

The percentage of automatic new cars sold in the UK has risen rapidly over the past decade, constituting 80% of the total.

External factors, of course, do play an important role in changing our habits, but the cars themselves are a significant factor in slowing the country down.

Maybe this isn't such a bad thing, but if you are ever in a hurry, you may need to give yourself a bit more time.