should the goverment raise the speed limit on certain motorways?

Question

I was driving on the M 25 and some parts are now 4 lanes, So isnt the 70 mph limit old now, I mean that was brought in i think the 60s, Cars today are much safer and can easily cruise around 80, So why dont we up the limit to 80 or 85. at certain times. People drive around that speed now... The motorways are better then they were, and now getting wider. or introduced a speed limit at certain times. like off peak hours when the traffic is low

Answer 1

It's a very complicated issue. Firstly four lanes on the M25 is narrow - parts of it have six on each side!



The biggest danger on a motorway is the speed differentials. In other words, you've got big lorries doing 50mph and cars doing 80+ only a couple of metres from each other, whilst having to zip around other vehicles. On that basis, raising the speed limit would be dangerous.



However, one cannot ignore the fact that very few cars stick to the motorway limit (some 97% of car drivers a year conscientiously break it), so raising it won't make things any worse. If anything, it'll encourage those 3% of cars to keep up with the rest of traffic, making the road safer.



The argument that people will just drive faster anyway is a very thin one, and is somewhat offensive. It's now almost concrete that speed limits have no affect on the way people drive at all, an issue I'll get back to later. How many people honestly get in a car and aim to break a speed limit? Sure, some do it, but those that do don't deserve licences.



The main reason why raising the limit would be a good thing is to bring some unity and clear what is some very muddy water. If 75 is deemed acceptable by the police, at what point do you become dangerous?



However, there are a few more complications:

- Over the past 10 years, speed limits on all roads have become astronomically low. They are designed so that drivers can break them. Drivers have absolutely no faith in them at all, so they start taking matters in to their own hands, trying to judge for themselves whether a road is safe or not. An appalling situation that isn't limited to motorways.

- HGV speed limits are becoming an issue, as it causes economical damage and leads to long delays behind them. The same argument is used, "lorries are much safer today". Well, yes, but it doesn't stop them crushing anyone in front when they don't stop in time. What should be done here? Think back to speed differentials.

- If motorists had to create a 'wish-list' for the government, I'm sure the motorway speed limit would be fairly low on it. Not only are there the issues above to sort out first, but we need to do a LOT more road-building if we want any credit from Europe. Baring in mind that few things come in the motorists' favour, we need to get our priorities right!

- Most things in transport are about taking a step backwards. 20 years ago you'd improve a dangerous road, today you'd put more restrictions on it. Everything is about squeezing as much capacity out of what you've got, using any means possible. A raise in the motorway limit would be a big breath of fresh air, but highly unlikely*. With things like hard shoulder running coming in, it's more likely that we'll end up with a camera-enforced 50/60mph limit on all busy roads most of the day. Nothing like progress, eh?



Oh, and finally, having read the other answers:

- Most motorways are designed to safely handle traffic at 100mph, although more and more things are being done "on the cheap" now.

- Traffic levels are irrelevant, it's a speed LIMIT not a target.



Sorry for the very long answer, but it's a big issue!

Answer 2

In theory this is something I agree with.



I like the french system of lower limits in poor weather and faster in better weather but they actually maintain there roads better than us in the UK so it's more effective.



As already mentioned, most people (me included) cruise along 80-85mph now (when safe to do so) so if that was the raised limit, then I'd probably push 90-100mph. Also large vehicles are already limited to about 10-15mph below the speed limit now for the reason the vehicle could become unstable at any faster speed, so if limits were raised to 80/85mph, then there is over 20mph speed difference which could cause more accidents. The peak/off peak idea too would not work upon similar principle of the larger vehicles which are on the road 24hours a day and the risk of speed difference is still a danger. Also there are drivers who do not have the confidence to travel over 60mph so again would cause problems there. One idea is to make more toll roads parralel to motorways (Like the M6 toll) where the limit could be raised by ensuring cars only travel on them for a charge and also cars should get a permit to drive at the speed of above 70 as part of annual MOT tests. Just a thought that would ease congestion at peak times.

Answer 3

Drivers do exceed the motorway speed limit and I believe that this is tolerated to a degree.



Part of the reason the 70 mph limit is in place is because motorways exits are designed so that the driver can safely go from 70 to nil and when warnings are necessary the driver can slow down before they meet the hazard. Upping the limit would mean these safety features would need to be altered to meet safety standards.



Whilst we have got greatly improved and safer vehicles, we will never manage to improve driving skills and human nature to match.



There were no speed limits on motorways at all when they were first introduced. Motorways were being used as race tracks or to test how fast a vehicle could go. 'Doing a ton' (going over 100mph) was the aspiration of a few too many.

Answer 4

I feel sometimes that they could increase the speed limits on toll style motorways where there is less congestion. However, ordinary motorways are dangerous at their existing limits for in reality how many people adhere to the 70 limit. If you increase the limit people will exceed it and you will have too many people driving in excess of 100mph. I suppose the only answer might be to have an 80 limit but with average speed cameras positioned above each lane at regular intervals.

Answer 5

The faster you go, the more you increase your risk of serious injury or death. You may be a safe driver, but do you really know for sure if the other driver is safe as well? Not everyone obeys the speed limit, but if you do your part by obeying the speed limit and reducing your speed for the conditions around you, you are reducing your risk of being involved in an accident.



There is a stretch of highway that I know of where the speed limit is 80 by day, and 65 at night. It is on I-10, from San Antonio, TX to El Paso, TX, and I have traveled that route many times, both day and night. At night, I do 60-65. During the day, I may drive the speed limit (80) but mostly I do 70, since the faster you go, the more gas you burn. Sure, other drivers may become impatient with others driving at lower speeds, but that's what the passing lane(s) are for.

Answer 6

All over Europe countries are lowering speed limits as cars are getting faster and more reliable. As others have said, the problem is not the cars or the roads but the drivers. Especially young drivers. The danger on motorways is the speed difference between the slowest and the fastest cars. The greater the spred the greater the danger.

Bill

Answer 7

There is an argument for higher speed limits on the motorway but before we do that we should improve the standard of driving and perhaps have a separate motorway test for new drivers.

Answer 8

If the limit was increased as you suggest then a lot of people would drive at 95 to 100 mph.

The motorways are not getting better. The surfaces are poor and there is too much traffic most of the time for 70 to be safe.

The standard of driver training and driving standards in the UK are too poor to allow it

Answer 9

ye they should or least make certain limits are certain times of day lyk maybe a lower limit during busier periods and higher limits during quieter periods like on a sunday or at evening/night time

I heard some figure from summin reckoning that even doing 90 on a motorway is less dangerous than doing 40 in a 30

Answer 10

Most certainly not. You have to deal with the lowest common denominator and that is Mr and Mrs Numpty. Then making variable limits will introduce uncertainty. I am happy to do that speed, I am not happy ramming someone at that speed because they cannot judge other peoples speed and pull infront of me.

Answer 11

because then people would go 90-110 not 80-100 like they do more dangerous just plan ahead and go slow to make it on time....

Answer 12

Cars are safer, drivers are not.

Answer 13

id love for them too, but it won't happen

Answer 14

No