MOST drivers in Singapore are not aware of the speed limit on the roads, said a survey released by motor insurer AXA on Tuesday.

Only one in four drivers here know that the speed limit on normal roads is 50kmh. The rest perceived the speed limit to be higher than that.

The survey, done by AXA for the first time here, polled more than 500 motorists in Singapore. More than 400 of these were private car owners while the rest are taxi drivers.

AXA's chief executive officer Henri Gurs said the survey was conducted to help better understand the behaviour of local drivers.

'We hope to play our part in encouraging motorists to adopt safe driving practices,' he said. AXA is one of the top three leading motor insurers in Singapore.

While most local drivers seem to be unaware of the speed limit on regular roads, more than 60 per cent knew that the speed limit on expressways here is 90km/h.

More than 60 per cent of the survey respondents also admitted that they engage in certain acts of dangerous driving.

The most common is speeding at more than 10km/h above the speed limit, and passing through a traffic light crossing when the light is amber.

Besides studying the behaviour of local drivers, the survey also made comparisons among motorists of different age groups and gender.

Older drivers were found to be more careful while driving. For example, they are less likely to tailgate other vehicles or talk on their mobile phones without a hands free kit while on the road.