Brake, the road safety charity is urging drivers to #SlowDown this Beep Beep! Day as a survey reveals more than half (52%) admit to speeding in 20mph areas.

The survey of 2,000 drivers also shows that 8 in 10 (78%) think traffic is too fast in their neighbourhood for the safety of children on foot or bike.

The findings have been revealed on Beep Beep Day! (10 May), as more than 50,000 children aged 2-7 take part in the event, run by Brake and Churchill Car Insurance. The project for nurseries, schools and childminders engages young children with road safety.

The event, now in its 14th year, coincides with the United Nations Global Road Safety Week’s #SlowDown campaign, which aims to increase understanding of the dangers of speed and encourage drivers the world over to slow down to protect road users.

As well as the UK, Beep Beep! Days are taking place in other countries this year, including Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, Cameroon and South Africa.

Brake and Churchill’s survey reveals that nearly three-quarters (73%) of 25-34 year olds are likely to drive at 25mph or more in a 20mph area, whereas fewer than half (45%) of 55-64 year olds say they would do so. Men (61%) admit to driving at those speeds more than women (43%). The 25-34 age bracket of drivers gave the highest results in terms of thinking that traffic travels too fast in their community too (83%).

Dave Nichols, community engagement manager at Brake, said: “All children have the right to play safely and live a healthy life without fear – rights that are universally recognised by the United Nations and world leaders. Yet, in the UK, one of the most developed countries in the world, our children are often denied these rights because of the lethal danger posed by fast traffic. That’s why, in a week when the UN is asking people across the world to #SlowDown on roads, we’re calling on UK drivers to take the lead in making roads safer for children – by driving at 20mph or less and taking more care in communities. The Beep Beep! Day project engages kids in this life-saving cause, helping them learn about road safety issues and, critically, inspire their parents and drivers to reduce danger on our roads, by actions such as slowing down.”