When asked how fast people should be allowed to drive Stephen Bett, police commissioner for Norfolk has said that “It depends on the driver”.
He continued “If you’ve got a Formula One racing driver well you can go flat out. If he was a racing driver and really, really good and had tremendous reflexes, probably as fast as the car will go.”
He added:”While speed may be a factor in many accidents I believe it is inappropriate speed that is the main contributory factor. That is why I call on drivers to consider the road conditions and drive accordingly.
“We need a common sense approach to simplify regulations and limits for drivers and reduces the need for all these changes of speed limits.
“I agree with those who believe we should revisit the current upper speed limit of 70mph on our motorways and modern roads which have been built, along with vehicles, with safety in mind.
“This may be unpopular is some quarters and research would point to whether this could be universally acceptable – my comments were designed to provoke the debate.”
In response David Quarmby, chairman of the RAC Foundation, argued that “Speed limits are set to reflect the inherent risks of different types of road – risks to drivers and other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
“While Stephen Bett may be mesmerised by varying speed limits, there is no evidence to suggest the average driver is.
“The observance of speed limits has improved significantly over the last decade, and as a result the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads has fallen nearly 40 per cent in the last decade alone. Long may it continue.”
So where is the line? Do we continue to lower speed limits? Higher them for some roads, such as motorways, and lower them for other? Let us know your thoughts.
You can view our main website to see information about current speeding laws
Apr, 25, 2013