The Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM) recently released a new survey that found close to 75% of riders and drivers want to change the speed limit on UK motorways from 70mph to 80mph. Over 2,000 were surveyed and 60% said they would adhere to the limit if the speed was increased to 80mph.
Another 60% said they are guilty of traveling above the current limit of 70mph when there is flowing traffic and another 20% said they drive 80 mph and higher. A Department of Transport study on free-flowing speeds showed that over 50% of the vehicles break the official limit of 70mph and over 15% travel at 80mph and higher.
IAM’s director of policy and research, Neil Greig said that motorways are still the safest roads nevertheless increasing the speed limit is a very controversial topic. Therefore we want have a trial to see its impact with regard to road safety, driver behavior and fuel consumption.
