80mph motorway proposals scrapped
29th March 2013
80mph motorway proposals scrapped
Government proposals for a new 80mph motorway speed limit are likely to be cancelled, due to the level of concern that it might increase the number of fatal accidents.
According to the Financial Times, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin is resolved to cancel the plan, although an official announcement may not be made until later in the year.
However, the Department for Transport has said it will be going ahead with trials. A press officer for the DfT said: “Work is continuing to assess the potential economic, safety and environmental impacts of trialling 80mph speed limits across a number of sites on the motorway network.”
Brake, the road safety charity, strongly welcomed news, and urged the government to invest in more variable speed limits on motorways, with a top speed of 70mph, which it says is a proven way to reduce crashes while improving traffic flow.
The Association of Chief Police Officers says it wants to see pilots lasting two years before supporting the policy.