DRIVERS in the south west are the least likely to break the speed limit with just 11 per cent regularly exceeding the limit.

Drivers in north Scotland are the worst at ignoring speed limits with 31 per cent doing so regularly.

The figures come from a national survey of 1,500 motorists by car insurance company Direct Line.

They say almost a quarter of drivers in the UK think it is acceptable to speed if they think the limit is too low.

And a third consider speeding acceptable if there is an emergency, while 21 per cent think it is all right if there is little traffic about.

Jenny Watts, a nurse from Westlea, thinks people should remember speeding is a crime.

She said: "Speeding is a disgrace. There are no excuses for it and people should obey the law.

"You wouldn't think, oh I'll only go and kill one person, so why do people think it's acceptable to speed once?"

The poll also showed that 94 per cent of drivers admit to speeding, with 33 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds speeding regularly, 57 per cent reckon it is acceptable to speed on empty roads and 24 per cent think it is all right to do so in good weather conditions.

From those surveyed, 93 per cent of motorists said they have a sound knowledge of speed limits but only 50 per cent could correctly identify the limit on a dual carriageway which is 70mph.

Direct Line's motor spokeswoman Emma Holyer said: "The lack of knowledge among motorists is very surprising particularly that so many don't even know the speed limits on some UK roads.

"Not only is speeding dangerous but, as many motorists know to their expense, speed cameras exist across the UK and the points on your licence and fine incurred can be hefty.

"In today's high-powered cars, it's easy to lose concentration and go over the limits. It may be that many motorists are speeding without realising it."

Lyndsay Scanlan