Forums Forums National News Motorway Speed limit to rise to 80mph

MOTORWAY speed limits are to go up from 70mph to 80mph, the Government confirmed yesterday.
The new maximum for cars and vans will come into force within two years, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced.

As he launched a consultation ahead of the change in 2013, he insisted experience abroad showed a "minimal" safety impact.

The 70mph limit dates from 1965 — before seatbelt laws and airbags.

Mr Hammond branded it "out of date" and said the new limit will give a huge boost to UK finances.

But Greenpeace scoffed: "The Saudi oil minister will be rubbing his hands with glee."

Mr Hammond said: "It is time to put Britain back in the fast lane of global economies."

He said quicker journey times will benefit the country by "hundreds of millions of pounds" — even though a similar change in Denmark saw overall speeds actually increase by less than 6mph.

Accidents barely rose — and Mr Hammond pointed to massive advances in brakes and safety features since our 70mph limit was imposed almost 50 years ago.

He said: "The economic benefits will outweigh the very, very small impact on casualty numbers."

The Irish and Spanish can already do 75mph. The French and Italians drive at 81mph. German autobahns have no limit.

Ellen Booth, of safety campaign Brake, said deaths are "likely to increase".

The AA said: "The best speed limits are ones drivers understand and respect."

Source

I've always thought modern cars would be built in such a way so when they are driving at 70mph they are at their most economical (gearing ect) ?. Or is that me just making things up again

Raise motorway limit (maybe have a higher limit on the fast lane only) and lower speed limit in built up and school areas.

I'll continue to drive in the same way I always have, which is watching the road, being aware of all junctions and other traffic and not overdriving my brakes or my field of vision.

In my view there is a massive difference between driving too fast and exceeding the limit.

If the limit goes up to 80 then I will continue to drive at 100 when I feel it's safe, just like I'll continue to drive slower than 30 past a school even though 30 would be 'legal'.



EDIT: I have 3 points coming my way for 47 in a 40 on a well lit dual carriageway at 2am... it won't stop me exceeding the limit, it's just a risk you take.

I think that's you making it up. Different cars will have different speeds at which they are most economical.

Think its about time they raised the motorway speed limit. Think they should have a minimum limit too.

Mine is most efficient at about 55 especially if I'm behind a truck but its soul destroying so I don't bother. That's in a 2.0 diesil by the way.

I think the ROI has a minimum limit of 30 but I'm sure nothing like that exists here. You'd be more likely to be prosecuted for careless or dangerous driving if your speed was causing an issue.

I remember reading that 56 was the speed at which it was generally accepted you would be being most economical, on average.

If I'm driving for work I tend to sit at the same speed as the lorries/trucks, mainly as there's no need to risk speeding fines etc when I'm in no rush and also because I'm getting 40p for each of these miles so if I can make the tank last 350 miles rather than 250 then that's £40 in my pocket.

Well people who join the motorway from a standing start in 1st gear & then proceed down the motorway & 50 in the middle lane are a danger to other road users.

I drove down to Bournemouth a few month ago, and I never went over 60 I was comfortable at that speed so that is what I will do.

Thats fine mate in the correct lane.

Not many things make me as angry as a middle lane moron.

I wasn't calling you a MLM...

But, if you are...

Haha.