Yes, MIMSER

Further to the correspondence from S.S. of Chester "Security Blanket" I would like to share my experience driving home to Birmingham from Poole after being on holiday to France. The return trip in the UK was at night and, despite being an experienced driver, 70mph on the M27, M3, A34 and M40 was, in my opinion, not safe. As a result I slowed to a more leisurely 50mph, which gave me the confidence to drive home safely. The reason seems to be the complete lack of road maintenance. Cat's eyes are missing or not working, white lines on the road are worn, making them difficult to see and, after experiencing French roads, the surface in places is diabolical. So it seems that the Government may have a point, leave the roads to deteriorate to such an extent that accidents will happen, blame this on speed and then reduce the speed limit. Brilliant. It could not have been a better script for "Yes Minister"

Asked on 11 July 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

Unfortunately, the diabolical government plot you describe has been foiled by the fact that we're in a recession and one of the consequences is that people are making far fewer long-distance leisure journeys. Fewer miles travelled are bound to reduce the crash statistics. So what we may see (entirely ignoring the real reason) is a claim that speed cameras are saving lives, so the country needs more of them (to increase the revenue they generate).

Tags: driving road conditions

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