THE Government has expressed concern at new figures which show the majority of drivers regularly break the national speed limits. The latest statistical survey from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, has revealed that 72% of car drivers exceed the 30 mph speed limit on urban roads, and 57% exceeded 70 mph on the motorway.

Roads minister Baroness Hayman said: 'I am very concerned that too many motorists appear to be ignoring the dangers of speeding, particularly in built-up areas where the risk of an accident is greatest.'

During 1996 the survey recorded the speed of 76 million cars at 25 motorway sites, 12 million cars on dual carriageways, and 13 million cars on single carriageways, all in areas where road works and congestion were unlikely to have an effect.