DRIVERS have been urged to slow down after a survey revealed almost half of motorists admitted to speeding in 20 miles per hour roads.

Road safety charity Brake revealed three-quarters of motorists think traffic travels too fast in their neighbourhood.

The survey showed 73 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds were likely to drive at 25mph or more in a 20mph zone, with 45 per cent of 55 to 64 year olds doing the same.

The Lancashire Telegraph’s Stop the Madness campaign has been calling for tougher penalties for drivers who break the rules.

New speeding fines were brought in last month with drivers at risk of more points or longer bans for breaking speed rules.

This comes as Brake asked thousands of youngsters across East Lancashire to take part in ‘Beep Beep Day’, a project to help raise awareness about driving at appropriate speeds and slowing down.

Cllr John Fillis, the former cabinet member for highways and transport on Lancashire County Council, said: “It is very important to abide by the speed laws put in place on our roads.

“It is actual fact in an accident a pedestrian will receive less injuries being hit at 20 mph than 30mph.

“If a vehicle was travelling over 30mph the likelihood of injuries would increase quite dramatically.

“I fully support the new penalties for those who break speeding limits.”

A Brake spokesman said: “A total of 500 children are killed on roads globally every day, a figure seven in 10 North West drivers surveyed underestimated.

“This shows the importance of raising awareness.”