Kemi Badenoch suggested British drivers should not be getting points on their licence if they break 20mph limits. She said speeding fines should be about safety, not about making money. Badenoch proposed police efforts should be allocated elsewhere instead of focusing on drivers breaching the speed limit by a small margin.
According to major media reports, nearly half a million speeding fines issued in 2024 by police forces in Britain were on roads with 20mph speed limits. Just over one sixth of Britain's roads are subject to a 20mph speed limit. More than half of London's roads have 20mph speed limits.
Sadiq Khan introduced more than 150 miles of new 20mph speed limit restrictions since becoming London mayor, according to major media. Badenoch said she had heard of a taxi driver who drove 21mph three times in a 20mph zone and lost his licence. This case highlights broader implications of enforcement.
It remains unclear what specific policy changes Badenoch proposes regarding enforcement of 20mph speed limits. It is also unknown how many drivers have lost their licences specifically for minor speeding violations in 20mph zones. The official police or government response to her comments on speeding enforcement priorities has not been confirmed.