A client of mine recently asked me for my opinion on the proposed increase of the speed limit on motorways from 70 mph to 80 mph.
I represent a lot of people who are annoyed when they are stopped for speeding or flashed by speed cameras and their speed is not greatly over the limit. The simple science of the matter is that the faster you go the more damage you cause when there is a collision. However many people do not seem to think there is much wrong in exceeding the speed limit. People still boast how fast they have managed to drive their cars.
I remember in my youth, yes I have a long memory; the same attitude prevailed towards drink driving. It was regarded as amusing. There was not too much wrong with it as long as you did not get caught.
Exceeding the speed limit is a major cause of serious accidents and people need to change their attitude towards it. On the other hand we are sold cars which, as each year goes by, are faster and faster. Speed is still glamourised.
So where do I stand on this issue? So far as the motorways are concerned it is a question of safety. I am not qualified to judge the scientific data and there is a body of thought which states that the increase in the speed limit actually helps safety, rather than hinder it. The worry of course is that if the speed limit is 80 mph more people will drive at 90 mph or 100 mph and so that is an argument for the speed limits to be more rigorously enforced on the motorways. I have never really been able to understand why there are so few speed cameras on the motorway and of course more of these would reduce the speed at which people drive.
Whatever the position there needs to be a full informed debate as such a debate is needed in connection with whether the constant increase in fuel duty actually increases or decreases the amount of money coming into the Revenue., which I will write about shortly.
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