Ninety-four percent of British motorists admit to breaking the speed limit, while almost a quarter do so because they think the limit is too low, according to a survey by Direct Line.

A third of young drivers aged 18 to 29 said they regularly broke the speed limit, while almost 60% of drivers think it is acceptable to speed on empty roads.

The survey found that motorists thought it was acceptable to speed when there was an emergency (33%), if the limit was considered to be too low (24%) or if there was less traffic about (21%).The worst offenders in the UK are in the north of Scotland, where one in three drivers admit to regularly speeding, compared to one in five in the central belt.

The survey claimed many thought it was acceptable to speed if the roads were clear and the weather was good.

The survey also showed that one in three drivers under 30 regularly broke the limit while one in four believed the speed limit was too low.

Only 50% of drivers questioned knew the limit for cars on dual carriageways was 70mph.