The government is planning to raise the motorway speed limit to 80mph and will begin consultations on it later this year before the new speed limit is imposed in 2013.
Why it’s time to raise the motorway speed limit
Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond says the new 80mph speed limit will help ‘get Britain moving’ and lower average journey times. This would generate hundreds of millions of pounds in economic benefits, he added.
The government also plans an extension of 20mph zones in urban areas.
The move comes after Department for Transport evidence revealed 49% of motorists ignore the current 70mph speed limit, introduced in 1965.
The 80mph speed limit trials have, however, already attracted controversy. Campaigners say the new speed limit will increase fuel consumption and contradict initiatives to lower CO2 emissions.
RAC Foundation director Stephen Glaister said that a 10mph increase in speeds would use 20% more fuel and emit 20% more CO2.
Many also expect that, due to the discretion Police traffic officers have, today’s 80mph will become tomorrow’s 90mph.
Critics also say the new 80mph speed limit will make roads less safe. The DfT, however, says it is improvements in car technology that are behind a fall of more than 75% in the number of people killed on British roads since the 70mph speed limit came into force.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists welcomed the trial, saying that ‘with well established controlled and managed sections of the motorway network in existence already, it is feasible to assess its practicality and safety, and gauge driver’s reaction to it.’
France and Italy already have speed limits of 130km/h, or 81mph. The recommended maximum in Germany is 130km/h too. Spain has, however, recently lowered its national speed limit, to 110km/h or 68mph, to help drivers use less fuel when driving at speed.
