British Government Move To Raise Motorway Speed Limit

How many of us in the United Kingdom stick to the maximum motorway speed of 70 miles an hour? I mean, come on, 70? The limit was introduced in 1965 when that was fast for the average motor.

That’s why I’m really happy at the news that the British government is looking to hike the motorway speed limit to 80 miles an hour. Okay, the naysayers reckon that there’ll be road safety implications, including drivers having less time to react at higher speeds, but that’s crazy. Most of us have been driving at nearer 80 than 70 for years anyway.

Back in 1965 - nearly half a century ago – cars just weren’t safe and sound compared with today’s vehicles. Think about it: the technical advances since then have been colossal; the British government didn’t even require seatbelts to be fitted to new cars until 1967. Then look at all the crash test research done, the improvements to braking and steering systems, not to mention the introduction of airbags in the 1990s and the electronic driver aids fitted to even the smallest of cars these days. The fact is the modern motor is probably 100% safer than any car made in 1965 and far more capable of handling 70 miles an hour.

Okay, the roads are busier, but what do you expect? The population of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was only about 53 million in 1965 compared with nearly 62 million people today. In fact, motorways are amongst the safest roads in the country and it’s well recognised that the UK has the safest roads in Europe.

I think it’s about time the government stopped taking millions of pounds from the public purse to spend money on speed cameras which enforce unreasonably low speed limits. I’m glad the men and women in power are now actually seeking to raise the totally discredited 70 mph motorway speed limit.

Listen, I’m not saying that road safety in the UK can’t be enhanced, but the way to attain that is obviously to applaud motorists for being the safest in Europe. Hammering drivers with an incessant succession of speeding fines is definitely no reward.  Raising the motorway speed limit may, at the very least, go some way towards recognising that British drivers need to be cut some slack.