Does it make sense to increase the motorway speed limit to 80 MPH?
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The UK government has stated officially its plans to increase the speed limit on motorways from 70 miles per hour (approx 112 KPH) to 80 MPH (approx 128 kph. Following a public consultation in 2011, the changes will be implemented in early 2013. This increase will only apply to vehicles and bikes, with vans staying at 70mph.
The Department of Transport expounded in a PR release the lifting of the road limit reflects the changes on the roads in the last 50 years and they gave a bunch of reasons including:
"Vehicles have changed significantly since the current countrywide road limit was set in 1965. Technological advances mean that cars are significantly more safe in comparison to they were - contributing to a reduction of more than 75 percent in the number of folks snuffed out on Brit roads since 1965," the statement read.
"That is why the Govt. feels it is now time to review whether the road limit set in 1965 is appropriate."
Transport secretary Philip Hammond agreed: "I want to make sure that our motorway speed limit reflects the reality of modern cars and driving conditions, not those of 50 years ago."
The DfT also believes the shorter journey times would bring increased business benefits worth millions.
"While we must ensure that our roads remain among the safest in the world, we must also consider the great economic benefits that may be made by shortening journey times," Hammond recounted
These are all good cases but it does make me wonder how much consideration has been given to the following:
90 MPH will become the new 80 MPH. Many individuals already think that a 70 limit means up to 80 is OK. Does this imply that an 80 limit will lead folks to think 90 is OK?
Yes vehicle safety and driving conditions have altered over the last 50 years but have peoples driving abilities improved by the same level?
Shorter travelling times = more commercial benefit. Is this true if there's an increase in the level of road accidents?
I am not sure the answers to these questions. Nonetheless I am able to see that many insurance firms will use this as a reason to raise premiums as they'll argue that an increased road limit will increase the possibility of accidents.
All this may cause a benefit to driving colleges, particularly those offering the Pass Plus certificate as not only does this teach motorway driving skills, many insurance firms offer good discounts for holders of the accreditation.
It will be interesting to watch how this change develops.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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