Lake District’s Roads Named Among Worst Speeding Hotspots by Drivers and Police

Drivers and local communities across the Lake District have highlighted a number of rural and scenic roads in Cumbria where speeding is considered a persistent problem prompting calls for action from police, councils and road safety groups.
The popular A591 which runs between Kendal, Keswick and Windermere through the heart of the national park is regarded locally as one of the region’s busiest and most challenging routes for drivers, with fast‑moving traffic and narrow bends that can make enforcement difficult.
Residents and frequent visitors often say that other scenic but twisting routes through the hills and passes such as around Kirkstone, Hardknott and Honister attract motorists who travel at speeds inappropriate for the terrain and conditions, contributing to near‑misses and collisions.
Cumbria constabulary has previously targeted dangerous and anti‑social driving through operations such as Operation Colossus, stopping vehicles, issuing traffic offence reports and making arrests as part of a wider effort to tackle unsafe driving on county roads.
Police road safety campaigns and enforcement efforts often focus on sections of road where drivers are known to exceed limits, especially during summer months when tourism traffic peaks. Enforcement includes mobile speed cameras, patrols and community education to address behaviours like excessive speed, which is a leading factor in serious collisions nationwide.
Drivers are encouraged to stick to posted limits, especially on rural A‑roads and through villages where conditions can change quickly and where high speeds pose risks to walkers, cyclists and other motorists.