Should The Motorway Speed Limit Be Raised To 80mph?
At the dawn of the UK’s motorway network, there wasn’t a speed limit at all. That ended in 1965 as 70mph speed limits were introduced, but over 50 years have passed, so is it time for an update?
Improvements in crash safety, brake technology and even road technology since then have been massive, so it’s no surprise that the idea of an increase in speed limit has been raised by both campaigners and members of parliament in recent years. It’s even been discussed in the House of Commons, but proposals have never been given the go-ahead.
Upping the speed limit would mean quicker journey times and this will benefit the economy, not to mention making long trips less frustrating and slipways more entertaining…
Thanks to new ‘smart’ motorways with variable speed limits it’d be easy to introduce 80mph limits in test areas, or even roll out a higher speed limit on all newer sections of motorway, leaving older, less safe parts at 70mph.
On the other hand, bumping up the speed limit could still lead to an increase in accidents, even if the 315 foot 70-0mph braking distance given by the Highway Code is rather generous (with most modern cars, you’re looking at around half that). You’d get a substantial increase in emissions across the motorway network, too.
So with these things in mind, what’s your opinion? Get voting!
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
It speed limit should change acording to the conditions on the road and in the perfect conditions (if the road is OK) it should be 100mph
As long as they increase the standards of classes to get your license. At least over here in the US it is simply to easy to get one and they don’t even take you out in heavy rain or snow. So the problem with raising the limit is that younger kids with no or little experience will be the ones having the accidents.
when I’m cruising on a motorway at 70, I get overtaken rather a lot ;) just saying
80 mph? did you mean at least 80 mph+++ :v ?
i think the U.S. needs to do it first
WI just made it seem like a big deal to increase to 70mph :(
should be like the autobahn, restricted sections and removed speed limits in others, lorrries and buses etc not allowed to use the third lane would make things safer
Why even bother to ask something like this in a car-enthusiast page?:D
80? crap man the ones around me are all 60mph. I’d love to have 80mph. I have zero clue why one of my many highways is 60 when it would be so easy to up it to 80 safely.
Could someone please clarify something for my American brain? Does the concept of a national speed limit mean all of the major highways are that speed, or does it just mean when a speed limit on a particular road is set, it can’t be above the national limit?
Basically speed limits are set on certain roads eg. In towns, villages etc but on clear and open roads once you get out of these areas there is a sign indicated that tells you it is national speed limit, 60mph on single carriage ways and then on dual carriage ways 70mph (currently). So yes in theory a speed limit cannot be set above the national speed limit but that’s only because usually the roads that are speed limited, in reality, you wouldn’t want to be going that speed
Ha ha in germany is no limit