The Bear

Given that the cost of fuel has shot up, and that apart from anything else every reduction we can make on our imports is worthwhile in view of our dreadful imbalance of trade, should the National Speed Limit not be reduced to at most 55 MPH?

Add to the cost benefits following improved consumption is the reduction in pollution that results from better fuel economy.

It simply has to be the right way to go.

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I am an old man. I have eaten much salt.

Westcountryman

Given that technology has improved significantly since the speed limits were set, should the national speed limit on motorways and dual carriageways not be raised, if only to 80mph?

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Manus haec inimica tyrannis ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam - "This hand of mine, which is hostile to tyrants, seeks by the sword quiet peace under liberty."

The Bear

I find that by setting the cruise control on my car to 55 on a long trip the elapsed time is as near as dammit to that when I drive with bursts of speed and acceleration to deal with road conditions but the fuel economy at a steady 55 is around 30% improved over higher speeds.

I’ve even tried driving without the cruise control and keeping to 55 and again the fuel consumption is much better than “conventional” driving and again, the elapsed time is within spitting distance of going at the highest speed road conditions will allow.

With the improvements in technology a reduction in National Speed Limit to 55 would add a belt to the braces that technology as delivered not to mention reducing the accident consequences since speed IS a significant contributory, factor if not always a causative factor, in road traffic accidents.

It really does look as though the advantages far outweigh any disadvantages including resulting in better road usage by increased occupancy without the consequential blocking effects that would come with the same occupancy at a higher speed.

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I am an old man. I have eaten much salt.

Hartlepool

I expect the Brussels unelected will direct the UK to do something on those lines you mention Bear,that should make you happy for a little while at least.

g hall

In independent research excessive speed as a contributory factor in RTA's averages between 7% and 12%

Since the Major administration discovered the Gatso speed camera and launched the "Speed Kills" policy road safety in the UK has deteriorated the gains in road safety that where being made have been lost

I have suggested to The Bear before to go and study the following websites

Welcome to Safe Speed
A B D

I would also recommend this one for any driver

PePiPoo: Helping the motorist to get justice

The biggest single cause of RTA's is inattention perhaps The Bear doesn't pay much attention on the road and has been overtaken by someone at speed and that has made him go to the woods

__________________
"That government is best which governs least."
"This is a sharp Medicine, but it is a Physician for all diseases and miseries".
"To be "matter of fact" about the world is to blunder into fantasy --and dull fantasy at that, as the real world is strange and wonderful."
Remember TANSTAAFL and TANJ

g hall

The EU has already brought in a limit for lorries

__________________
"That government is best which governs least."
"This is a sharp Medicine, but it is a Physician for all diseases and miseries".
"To be "matter of fact" about the world is to blunder into fantasy --and dull fantasy at that, as the real world is strange and wonderful."
Remember TANSTAAFL and TANJ

Hartlepool

What is it,99mph?

harryaldridge

Well, I don't drive slowly on motorways but manage 60-70mpg. Lowering the speed limit is silly. Why penalise everybody? If you want to drive slower then fine, but wanting a law is pointless, unless you want to force everybody to save fuel for their own good.

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http://vindicovindico.blogspot.com

The Bear

What's wrong with that?

In any case it would e for ALL our good.

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I am an old man. I have eaten much salt.

The Nationalist

Why not look at different states to see how the different speed laws and regulations made a difference. In Florida you can overtake a car in any lane and the top speed is close to 55 so people don’t need to keep switching lanes to overtake as all vehicles can move at the same speed. It is silly to keep reinventing traffic laws when you can all ready see how they work with the problems and advantages.