Most agree on higher m-way limit
At least 80mph is OK, finds survey
Most agree on higher motorway limit
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.
AA Trust weighs in
80mph limit for crowded M25?
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.
Whatever limit is set, say x mph, a fiver says within a week we have someone on here saying "Yesterday there was this plonker sat in lane 3 at x mph bla bla bla"
plus another saying "Got a NoIP for x plus y, should I say I can't remember who and ask for the photos, or niminate my cousin from Guatemala/Brazil/other place * delete as applicable.
DA = off.
I go with the Donster's suggestion, 100 nice round figure that.
Just below what the base vehicles can achieve, bit like 70 was when that limit was started and we were all driving Angleboxes, Moggie Minors and the like.
I believe it was introduced by a non-driver (Barbara Castle) as a knee-jerk reaction to pileups in fog.
Looks like many laws are devised by people who haven't got a clue! Utterly discredited by experienced drivers. 90 seems right to me. 80 is a realistic compromise (or first step). Don't mind enforcement of a decent limit. Object to enforcement of crap limit.
I also would like to know how they back-up their statement that speed drift to 90mph in an 80 limit would increase accidents...bet this is just a knee jerk statement.
Rob
Irrespective of what (higher) speed limit has to be imposed, it needs to be HIGHER.
The 70 mph limit came in late 60's after a an AC Cobra went very fast down a near empty M1.
Average cars could barely do 70 then.....
Nowadays cars can cruise safely at higher speeds, we have ABS, traction control and all of that guff.
70 is simply unrealistic in this day and age.....
100 sounds good to me - those that can't or won't do it, won't. Those that can and will, will.
Lane discipline should be as important as speed, though....
Don said:
just set it to 90 mph once for all
I reckon 100mph is a nice round number.
While a speed limit hike may sound good, I believe it’ll be more dangerous in the short term because of the lack of skill of today’s average UK driver (as opposed to higher speed). Any subsequent rise in accidents will be used as proof positive that ‘speed is dangerous’ and used as justification to reduce all limits (especially NSLs), as well as more rigorous speed enforcement.
Do you really want to allow numpties to drive at 100 mph while passing other numpties in the next lane doing only 55? What if the latter numpty pulls out without looking? I have been horrified several times, watching drivers pull out in the path of fully liveried police cars, even with their strobes/lights flashing, let alone get out of their way. It’s a very sobering sight
I think a better short term fix would be to have more unmarked plod on (all) roads enforcing high standards of driving, as well as applying discretion for speeding offences where factors allow.
Anyone agree, or am I about to get flamed?
If the government want to improve safety on the roads they need to instill in drivers what is and isn't acceptable on the road. There's always going to be that inconsiderate jerk that will never change his stripes, but general driving standards could dramatically be improved.
Suckmychrsitmas said:
If the government want to improve safety on the roads they need to instill in drivers what is and isn't acceptable on the road.
Ahh the good old days of road safety education films and posters:
"Only a fool breaks the two second rule"
"Don't be an amber gambler"
"Dip, dont dazzle"
"Turn your fecking foglights off you tit"
(I made the last one up
)Wherever a driver knows he is in a controlled area he will spend more time checking his speed. Whilst initial thoughts are that this is not a bad thing, the additional checks are taking his eyes off of the road more often and the "scanning the horizon" for scameras is taking his attention away from watching other cars, his positioning, his distance from the car in front and the general behaviour of the traffic in front of him.
Most drivers intuitively check their speed everywhere else. I rarely look at the speedo when driving yet find that when I do, I'm roughly at the right speed. This means I can drive freely ensuring my concentration is being used ensuring I'm driving safely rather than within a bureaucratically set limit.
Motorway speed limits should be a blanket HIGH with LOWER limits set only where absolutely necessary and very clearly signed.
I would suggest that ALL are allowed to do 80mph.
Then.... There is a 100mph limit for those that are qualified to do so. The driver has to undergo a very strict test encompassing everything from driving etiquette, awareness, correct assessment of speed and analysis of weather conditions (amongst other roadcraft).
Once the driver has been passed for the "advanced" test they then display something in the cars that are either read electronically or can be seen clearly in the windscreen.
This way you are introducing legislation but in a positive way, giving something back to the motorist whilst also making him more closely monitored.
Surely a win-win for everyone.
dubbs said:
I would suggest that ALL are allowed to do 80mph.
Then.... There is a 100mph limit for those that are qualified to do so. The driver has to undergo a very strict test encompassing everything from driving etiquette, awareness, correct assessment of speed and analysis of weather conditions (amongst other roadcraft).
Once the driver has been passed for the "advanced" test they then display something in the cars that are either read electronically or can be seen clearly in the windscreen.
I like that idea, at least it will stop the numpties from driving at 100mph!
As for the fast lane, if you've passed your test hopefully you would be competent enough to see when the time is right to do 100mph
>> Edited by nickjm on Tuesday 10th May 14:20
The AA said:
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
I'm not so sure this is the case. Personaly I drive at 80-85mph on motorways (when safe to do so) because it's a good compromise between making decent progress and providing enough input to stay alert without being exhausting due to the intense concentration required.
Just one line stuck out most in the article:
"The 70mph came into force in 1964, it is now 2005."
What else is the same about cars between 1964 and 2005? Not very much that I can see, it is a bit of an antique now isn't it. Get it changed!
Come to think of it they dont use armco down the centre but a concrete wall
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