Most agree on higher motorway limit
New research carried out for the London Evening Standard by leading consumer lifestyle and data company, Wegener DM, reveals that more people want the speed limit on motorways to be raised to at least 80mph (56 per cent) than want it kept at 70mph or lower (44 per cent).
It's not just inexperienced young drivers that hold this view; the older the driver, the more they consider a higher limit to be acceptable. The research, which polled 25,000 people, shows that more than 45 per cent of 45 to 54 year-olds want the limit raised to 80mph, with a further 12 per cent happy to see limits even higher. That contrasts with just 40 per cent and 10 per cent of 18-24 year-olds.
The survey also uncovered other intriguing glimpses of the British public's motoring psyche, suggesting many are more safety-conscious than they're given credit for. More than 39 per cent said they were prepared to sit a refresher driving course every five years to improve safety -- compared with 33 per cent who objected. On this, men and women were broadly in line.
The research also explodes the myth that everyone now has it in for the 4x4 and shows a much more balanced split in viewpoints. Just over 30 per cent thought 4x4s a 'sensible' option for family motoring; virtually the same proportion that believed they were 'unacceptable on urban roads'. And if you ask UK women - the ones more often responsible for driving children to school - you find they're even more positive about the attractions of the 4x4. Around 35 per cent say they make sense for family motoring compared to 32 per cent against.
Asked whether they would spend their money on airbags, anti-skid technology, fashionable alloy wheels or in-car DVD, nearly six in ten opted for the traction devices, followed by 20 per cent who wanted airbags. Only 17 per cent wanted the 'cinema' and fewer than four per cent were interested in fancy wheels.
On the subject of speed cameras motorists demand an even-handed approach; 54 per cent want them set to catch motorists within a wide margin of speed, 25 per cent want them scrapped altogether, while 16 per cent say there should be more of them. Only three per cent want them set at tighter margins than at present.
80mph limit for crowded M25?
The AA Trust -- the motoring organisation's equivalent to the RAC Foundation -- is reported recently as calling in a white paper for an 80mph speed limit. So far so sensible.
What the story does not say is that the AA Trust's siren call is of limited scope. The suggested pilot scheme for a limit of 80mph relates only to controlled motorway sections, such as those that are in place on the M25 near Heathrow.
The white paper argues that:
- There are currently two speed limits: the legal 70mph limit; and the unofficial and generally tolerated 80mph limit, below which drivers are unlikely to be prosecuted
- Most motorists readily accept this and most do not exceed 80mph, even when traffic conditions would allow it; only a minority choose to drive at more than 80mph
- A blanket increase in the motorway speed limit to 80mph would, in the absence of strict enforcement, lead to unacceptable enforcement "drift" to 90 mph. This would increase the risk of accidents and raise the total of fatal and serious injuries
- On controlled motorways only, where the speed limit can be lowered to suit traffic conditions, the limit could, under appropriate conditions, be raised to 80mph
- With enforcement clicking in automatically. For example, on the M25 near Heathrow, exceeding the displayed limit triggers the cameras into action. For a pilot scheme, cameras would be set to low tolerances, such as 82mph to deter "speeding drift" to 90mph or above
- Under the pilot scheme, the 80mph limit would operate only when traffic conditions were suitable, just as the limit can currently be reduced from 70mph to suit traffic conditions
- Under the pilot scheme, the variable speed limits displayed on the gantries would operate constantly in real time
The AA trust believes drivers need to be made much more aware of the risks of speed. Equally, they need to understand that the risk to them changes not only between road sections, but also when there are changes in traffic density, weather or visibility. All these factors would be taken into account to ensure that, on controlled motorways, drivers would know that:
- The speed displayed is right for the conditions
- It is safer for them
- Enforcement will be strict, with minimal tolerance above the set limit
The Trust said its white paper, The Motorway Speed Limit - 70mph, 75mph or 80mph, is one of a series to refine policy positions and stimulate discussion. It's also now almost a year old.
There has been no discernable reaction from the government but, with a kind-of new regime in place, PistonHeads has asked the new transport minister Stephen Ladyman what his thoughts are on the paper, and we'll report as soon as we get an answer.