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Theres talk of the national speed limit being increased to 78mph because the 70mph limit was introduced in the 50's when cars didn't have things such as airbags and ABS, it has been suggested that 78mph would be much more realistic nowadays and would be beneficial for fuel consumption and reducing travelling time.

I think it's a good idea, I usually drive at around 80mph when I'm driving 'normally', this increases if I'm in a hurry. In my opinion, 78mph is a comfortable driving speed, and probably the speed most people drive at anyway.

There's obviously a worry about more speed = more accidents but I don't think this is the case, it's the slow ones that are the hazards in my opinion.

Why not just make it 80?

78 seems like a really strange figure.

120mph for me

Dual speed limit for some motorways.  90mph (or more) when it's dry, 70mph (or maybe less) when it's wet.  Other motorways could have a lower limit if they aren't safe for 90mph+.

More 20mph zones in residential areas as well.

It was worked out by some mathematician apparently?

I mentioned this before to someone but when we discussed it we realised there would be grey areas. I think there needs to be one set limit for all weather, but agree that there are some roads where driving at 90mph seems reasonable. They'll never allow that though... well maybe in another 50 years when cars are more advanced.

I think they should make the speed limit 90mph, and not announce where the speed cameras are. £200 fine is you get caught.

I like the system in Finland ( I think it's there) where by the fine is on a percentage of your annual salary which is on a sliding scale for how much you are over the speed limit.

On another note, if you increase the speed limit to 80mph won't more people say ' i was only breaking the limit by 10 mph, thats not fair.'

They should have Germany like restrictions but make more penaties for dangerous driving.  Nothing wrong with burning it at over 100 at night when no one else is in site or you can keep a safe distance.

There is actually, but f*** it, we'll do it anyway ;D

No restrictions at all.  Part of population controls.

I class myself as a resonably good driver, having done it for a living.

I flatly REFUSE to drive over here!!!! Fxxxing mad place!!!!!

sorry but driving at 78 mph wont reduce the amount of feul consumed it will increase it

driving at 56 mph will reduce feul consumpution to the most efficent rate

France has different speed limits for different conditions.  Signs inform drivers whether the conditions dictate the dry or wet limit.  Just the same as variable speed limits on the M25 or M42.

Driving at 90mph on a clear motorway is perfectly safe.  Far safer than someone doing 40mph in a residential area.  Speed isn't dangerous.  Inappropriate speed is dangerous.

I disagree, I had a conversation with my aunt when I first started driving and was a bit of a girl racer. She is a paramedic and has lost count of the times she's been called out to an accident because of people driving fast and damaging their tyres or something (I can't remember the whole conversation but I can remember vaguely) and she told me that even though it may seem safe to drive at that speed, it really isn't.

I drive in excess of 90mph so I'm not one to preach, but to say driving at 90 on a clear motorway is PERFECTLY safe is wrong, in my opinion.

Poor maintenance, lack of concentration, using a phone, driving too close to the car in front, changing the CD, eating, drinking, smoking, etc.  They are all reasons for accidents, as well as inappropriate speed.  Unfortunately, you can't use speed cameras to catch anyone doing any of those - except for speeding.

Tyres don't just blow.  As for tyres not being suitable for high speeds.  The tyres on my car are suitable for speeds in excess of 170mph.  Properly maintained and inflated they aren't going to blow at 90mph.

There are many dangerous drivers on the roads.  But where do most road deaths occur?  On the motorway?  No.  They occur on local roads, often 30mph zones.   I think it's far safer for me to drive my car at 90mph on a motorway than it is for someone to drive at 40mph after a few drinks down the pub at lunchtime.  Far safer.

You are all missing the point here. More than ANYTHING else (weather, motorway, A-Road, traffic level, tyres, alcohol,da de da de da) it's the ability & common-sense of the DRIVER that is most important. The other Driver, that is.

Drivers- how many of the drivers actually admit they are bad?

None. we ALL think we are good drivers. Few of us are.

I agree.  But the focus of the media, the police, and many people is that speed is evil - hence this thread.

I'm all for making people take a test every 10 years.  Getting uninsured, unlicensed drivers off the road.  I can't remember the statistic, but the percentage of accidents where someone is killed or injured that involve an uninsured driver is very high - frighteningly high.

But I guess it's easier to focus on catching people speeding on a motorway.

poppycock

Yes they major on speed as the ultimate evil, which, up to a point, (12 points in my case) is correct I guess.

Most drivers are bad.  Compulsory tests on a periodic basis (maybe 5 years, 10 years?) would be a start.

The condition of many cars is frightening.  People who drive their cars with all the windows steamed up, or without clearing the ice off all the windows.  Or with bald tyres, worn brakes, and that's not even looking at the condition of the driver themselves.

I am!

But then of course one can argue- if most of them are bad - the faster they drive the more bad the accidents will be.

I can see how on an empty motorway one can be allowed to go faster then usual, as if the driver will have an accident the only person they will kill is themselves, unless they have unfortunate passenger in their car.

Drivers travelling at 70mph 20 yards behind the car in front, in driving rain, making a call on the mobile (not on hands free) is a far more dangerous driver than one travelling at 90mph on a clear road concentrating on what they're doing.  The problem is that the focus is on the pure speed.  70mph is seen as safe, 90mph is dangerous.  There's more to it than that.

The beauty of motorways is that there isn't oncoming traffic, pedestrians, etc.  Like you said, unless there is a passenger involved, or another vehicle, there is less likelihood of an accident endangering someone else. 

Pile-ups on a motorway aren't caused by speed. They are caused by inappropriate speed - either driving too close to the car in front, or though a lack of attention of changing conditions ahead.  Travelling at 70mph isn't going to stop these from happening.

It's those buggers that drive at 100 mph, two feet in front of me that cause the problems!

Kinboshi - you are right of course - but the problem is that if majority of drivers can't drive - increasing speed alowance will result in more serious incidents.

I think increasing it on motorways (but implementing more variable speed limits), and reducing it in many built-up areas is the way forward.

Oh, and punishing uninsured drivers (either simply having no insurance, or having no license, driving whilst banned, on drugs, drunk, etc.) rather than....banning them from driving!!  That's some deterrent.

Of course we wouldn't have all these problems if people were to use some other form of transport for their journeys, eh Tikay?

Carts and horses?

I think the whole driving test system needs a re-vamp. Really we should have to spend time on a skid plane and take advanced driving lessons for high speed driving. What will never happen but it would be really good if it did, would be if everyone was forced to drive a motorbike for a year. Nothing improves your powers of observation than worrying if some idiot is going to open a car door/pull out in fromt of you etc.

I'd rather not drive!

hahaha but if they are driving 100MPH right in front of you that kindoff implies you're doing 100MPH aswell my friend...or you're going even faster and are complaining about them not moving out of the way?

I think all drivers who don't absolutely need to drive should be lined up and shot. This includes all soccer moms and everyone doing a school run,...and everyone doing their shopping by car as opposed to T'internet...and everyone with a car...and most people without one.

Could we have a plate of whoosh to Boldie's table, please?

You mean like, say, Trains? Class, pure class that Andrew.

If we're changing the speed limits can we adopt another French system please?

MINIMUM speed limits for the middle & 'fast' lanes!

well played

 ;tightend;

But you see, they're not speeding - so that's perfectly fine.  They can pull out of the first lane, and then overtake at 65mph (whatever the weather) whilst playing with the radio and eating a ginsters pie, and drinking a bottle of diet coke.

This results in a build up of traffic in lanes 2 and 3, and the result is all the traffic starts to bunch up and the distances between the cars becomes dangerously small.

But that's OK.  Everyone will be driving at under the 70mph speed limit, so it's not dangerous or evil. 

They're a pet hate of mine! If I'm driving and there's someone wants to go faster than me, I'll get out of their way as I think I'm better off letting them out of range of hitting me....

But Mr I'm obeying the speed limit so I can use any lane - he gets his jollies on how big a line he can get behind him!

I can honestly say over the pat 2 years i have NEVER gone over the speed limit, never smoked while driving, never caused any accidents or tailbacks, never pulled out of a junction without looking, in fact i have done absolutely nothing to infringe upon the driving regulations at all.




then again - my ban expires 30th jan so watch out (but i'll be insured this time)

ah...make that a double...

good idea but the problem here is the tendency for uk drivers to think only the middle lane exists...in germany you overtake and pull in cos if you dont there will be 3 porches and a police car up your arse doing 110. with the indicator on telling you to move yer slow arse back in.

love it

i wholeheartedly agree with speed limit increasing but all motorways need limiters for weather conditions

lorries only in first lane to stop accidents and no lorries overtaking each other on hills, i'm sure they do that to wind up other motorists

i did a speed awareness course in lancashire and it does make u aware of the dangers and if you crash at 78 god help you at least at 30 or 40 you stand a chance, since having declan my speed has dropped from 90 to 75 max when hes in the car

and if you are gonna do speed, just make sure you're miles away from the other car so you can brake in time, cos that just pisses me off when you see motorists with only 1 car between them at 80+ miles an hour