Former champ backs call for 80mph limit

Published on Wednesday 15 February 2012 02:01

FORMER Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell has lent his support to plans to raise the speed limit on British motorways to 80mph.

The government is considering raising the limit from 70mph, despite fears it could lead to more crashes.

The retired racing driver said: “I don’t see why that becomes a problem. When I was a young man cars weren’t really able to do 70mph. They are very safe now.”

Announcing plans for a consultation on the issue last autumn, then transport secretary Philip Hammond said the current speed limit was nearly 50 years old and was out of date thanks to huge advances in safety and motoring technology.

Mr Mansell spoke after receiving a CBE from the Prince of Wales yesterday, awarded to him for services to children and young people as the president of the charity UK Youth. He professed himself “emotional” at receiving the honour

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KINGFISHER1

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:22 PM

I strongly object to the citrac signs at 20 mph on a motorway which is clear for several miles ahead in clear vision. It very much looks as though those in charge are more concenned with upsetting the motorist than road safety. As for the road traffic police, I would place more trust in the geheimpolitzei;and I certainly do not trust them! I am all for road safety ,but not the fake kind which is simply a revenue raising exercise,as with the Condor Cameras!

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samcoldstream

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 02:49 PM

The proposals are for England and Wales. The Northern Ireland and Scottish Governments have already made it clear that the 70 mph motorway speed limit will remain. Denmark(70mph), Germany (no mph?), Netherlands(75mph), Finland(75), Sweden(70), and Switzerland(75) have some of the most draconian road traffic laws in Europe and low road casualty rates but none of them can compare to the UK's which has the lowest death and injury rate in Europe. Germany, in theory does not have any speed limits on its autobahns, but all German motorways have overhead gantries with mandatory speed limits depending on a number of factors including dry or wet weather and road surfaces, visibiity, road works, and congestion. In the 1960s, Italy increased its speed limit on autostradas and the death and injury rate has soared ever since. Spain has a well engineered modern motorway system (75mph) but the worst casualty rate in Europe. Motorways in Scotland are poorly engineered in comparison to those in England and Wales. Motorways in England are poorly engineered compared to those in the majority of European countries(Source: Automobile Association report dated 2009)

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Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:55 PM

The 70mph limit was introduced partly in response to Jack Sears driving a Shelby Cobra up the M1 at over 180mph in 1964. The idea was that any speed limit set would be aimed at stopping racing drivers testing Le Mans cars on the public road whilst at the same time having little or no effect on the general motoring public. During the early 60s, you would struggle to find an ordinary car that would reach 70mph, let alone exceed it by much, therefore 70mph seemed about right. In addition, this law was enforced intelligently by proper police officers as opposed to a fat civvy looking at the results produced by an electronic box. So provided you were not too far in excess of the posted limit and were generally driving safely, you were OK. ........................................................Working on the same logic nowadays, the limit should be 120mph or thereabouts, however even I accept that 120mph wouldn't be appropriate for some stretches, even given the advance in car design. It also wouldn't be appropriate for adverse weather either. ............................ The best way to go is to follow the German example. Have most of the motorway with an advisory 80mph, which becomes compulsory in adverse conditions. Then, where NECESSARY (ie not just "to be on the safe side" or "to make sure our new camera makes money") reduce the compulsory limit for the minimum distance necessary to ensure safety. This does not mean miles and miles of stupidly low 50mph limit because "its a matter of policy". ............... An 80mph limit does not go far enough.

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Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:43 PM

#1: "Were the motorways designed for 80mph use?" .... Short answer: Yes. Next.....

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victor is back

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:27 PM

Deary me. It's pretty simple. Can someone remind me if Germany has autobahns with no speed limit? Is their motorway death rate through the roof compared to ours? No. Get the peed limit up and get it done swiftly. Simple as that. Here endeth the lesson.

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Zuerich

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:40 PM

Were the motorways designed for 80mph use? Sighting on curves, summits, sign spacing, junction design, etc. will all need to be factored in to any decision. Personally, I think most people do 80 already - this will encourage many to do 90mph.

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