Will the UK's speed limit be raised at some point?
Apart from the millions extracted from drivers in speeding fines, what justification is there for the 70mph speed limit on motorways? It was imposed as a "temporary measure" 55 years ago next month. Cars now handle better, stop faster, have more safety equipment, have better visibility and grip the road better than they did then, so why not 80mph at least?
Asked on 3 November 2020 by maxsaw
Answered by
Andrew Brady
There have been a number of calls to increase the motorway speed limit over the years. But it's unlikely to happen for environmental reasons - it's been estimated that increasing the limit to 80mph could generate an extra 2.2 million tonnes of CO2 a year. It'd be bad for noise pollution, too - cars travelling at higher speed make more noise, which would mean increased speed limits would trigger complaints from anyone living near a motorway.
Tags:
speed limits
Similar questions
I have just purchased a van and it comes up with cat N1. What does this mean?
The M4 at Newport is limited to 50mph, to reduce pollution. During heavy traffic the overhead signs (white matrix) might indicate other lower speeds, but they are not surrounded by a red circle. Are these...
I notice that a number of local Highways departments in England have started painting speed limit signs on the road surface instead of installing posts and the round signs. Some are painted in white and...
Elsewhere on 
