Lesley Hinds. Picture: Greg Macvean

Figures released by the Department for Transport show that 81% of drivers broke the limit at nine sites across the country - with 15% topping 30mph and 1% travelling at over 40mph in 20mph zones.

The report also shows one in 10 drivers exceeds motorway speed limits by at least 10mph, and 1% hitting 90mph.

The figures, from 2016, were measured using traffic counters installed on the road.

Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise Sign up Thanks for signing up! Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting...

They contrast with a poll commissioned by road safety charity Brake which said only 52% of drivers admit to surpassing 20mph limits.

Speaking in May when their findings were published, Brake’s community engagement manager Dave Nichols 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.