Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, has signalled that he is ready to lift the 70mph motorway speed limit to 80mph if it is in the interests of the British economy. Mr Hammond has called for a “rigorous cost benefit analysis’ of speed limits” which would look at a wider range of issues than safety alone.
“If you took just that view, you would have 10mph limits everywhere,” Mr Hammond told The Daily Telegraph. “We need to look at the value of safety benefits and the cost in terms of additional journey time,” he said. “It is a bit of a no-brainer that is how it should be done.”
A DfT spokesman said last night: “We need to make sure that we are looking at the right criteria when considering what level speed limits should be set at. This means looking at the economic benefits of shorter journey times as well as considering the implications for road
Original article source from The Telegraph
So how does Britain’s 70mph speed limit compare to other countries?
What do you think the speed limit should be set at? Fast than 80mph? Slower than 70mph? Variable speed limits? Let us know.
MJP Motoring Solicitors
May, 11, 2011
I think it will prove to be disaster to put speed of 80mph and transport secretary is misguided, because we know it will cost us more inn fuel and more accidents and more serious injuries.
I do hope the secretary of transport will take into account the cost in lives and suffering and welfare of the involved in accidents.
[…] Back in May MJP Motoring mentioned that a 80mph motorway speed limit could be introduced […]