Make motorway limit 80mph to cut jams, Ministers told

 

By ANDREW BAXTER and STEVE MYALL - More by this author » Last updated at 21:01pm on 13th January 2007

Motorists: 'They would benefit from a target speed of 78mph on motorways'

 

 

 

The speed limit on motorways should be raised to help the network to function more efficiently, a report for the Government has concluded.

Motorists would benefit most if traffic travelled at a 'target speed' of 78mph, it said.

This would enable quicker journeys, without seriously jeopardising safety.

The report by the Highways Agency examined the overall costs and economic benefits of travelling at speeds of between 30mph and 100mph - taking account of time at the wheel, fuel burned and accidents.

It concluded that 78mph was the most economical and 'appropriate' average speed, despite a rise in fuel consumption and more 'costly' crashes when vehicles travel faster than the current 70mph limit.

Similar calculations were also conducted for dual carriageways, where the most beneficial speed was found to be 71mph.

But traffic on single carriageway trunk roads was found to be most efficient at 54mph - 6mph lower than the present 60mph limit.

The report said: "At these targets, the network would operate in a balanced, safe, reliable and economic way to benefit society and users."

However, the Highways Agency report stopped short of recommending the changes, due to associated rises in exhaust emissions from vehicles travelling faster.

Congestion is estimated to cost British industry £15 billion annually.

The report revealed that an accident typically causes an hour's delay for 1,300 vehicles at a cost of £12,280 in fuel, missed appointments and time catching up - around £10 each.

The report, entitled "Development of a speed limit strategy for the Highways Agency" was carried out by the Government's former transport research laboratory, TRL.

It was commissioned by the Highways Agency, which manages local speed limits.

A complicated calculation established the average cost per kilometre based on hours spent at the wheel, the price of fuel on the journey and the cost of accidents in terms of vehicle damage, delays and injuries.

Quicker journeys 'would benefit individuals and businesses', it found but there would be some trade-off in accident costs.

The Department for Transport, which sets national limits, said it will be studying the report.

A DfT spokesperson said: "There are no current plans to change national speed limits but the department will look at the findings of the report."

Last night the Association of British Drivers said the current limit was no longer viable, and called for a rise to 80mph.

"This archaic 70mph limit has been with us for over 40 years and is well past its sell-by date,' said ABD policy adviser Nigel Humphries.

Jesus! Look at the number of caravans in that picture.

 

I don't believe raising it to 80mph would make it any more dangerous. People would still drive at current speeds, except for those who actually try to do 70 (i.e. not many) would be moving quicker.

Making it 80 will make sense.

 

The 70 limit is old, and needs updating with modern cars in mind.

Making it 80 will make sense.

 

The 70 limit is old, and needs updating with modern cars in mind.

 

However, the government would then tax you for every mph you drove....................:rolleyes:

However' date=' the government would then tax you for every mph you drove....................:rolleyes:[/quote']

 

If they start taxing people to drive on motorways, than the network of old roads around the motorways will be blocked.

 

Most of the motorways have a A-road which follows the motorway (A4, A3, A25, A27 etc.)

Ahhrg!, I know...

 

This taxing idea that is looking likely to happen is bad, very bad. We get taxed a ridiculous amount already - now they want more - and unless people are just going to throw away their car keys and stop travelling it looks like they are going to fleece us once again. The government and major parties regard all motorists and people except themselves to be milch cows, to be robbed blind and harrassed.

 

Also, we need to make sure we actually know who owns our roads - We do, not the government but the 'populace' in general paid for them and in turn own the roads.

 

If they start adopting the current US 'toll road' policy (sell off our networks to major foreign corporations who then gain huge wealth when we use our roads) then we need to seriously kick off about the issue.

 

They have already started to copy the US by selling off british ports to foreign conglomerates.

In June last year Associated British Ports (ABP) who ran 21 British ports agreed to a £2.5bn ($4.6bn) takeover from a consortium led by Goldman Sachs.

Sold ports were - Ayr, Barrow, Barry, Cardiff, Fleetwood, Garston, Goole, Grimsby, Hull, Immingham, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Lowestoft, Newport, Plymouth, Port Talbot, Silloth, Southampton, Swansea, Teignmouth, Troon.

 

Earlier in 2006 P&O was bought by Dubai Ports World for $6.8bn earlier this year, while Mersey Docks and PD Ports have also been taken over during the past year.

 

ALSO - BAA, the owner of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports, agreed to be bought by the Spanish company Grupo Ferrovial.

 

I mean, when will it stop? When all our infrostructure and interests is sold off and run by foreign companies?

 

It's all about shady deals which make rich private shareholders even more wealthy. Thing is, alot of these deals give very influencial and powerful people, many of them not the type you'd like to know, even more power and control too.

 

Who are we going to complain to when a outside company makes changes we (the people) don't agree with? Our government are crazy to allow these things to happen. So crazy that they can only be currupt at a high level.

 

We are being sold out and it's worrying - as of course it should be.

Hence in about 10 years or so, I hope to have left the country.

10 years you say? Enough time for the government to introduce ID cards with new passports and fleece you one last time before your departure? :P

^ indeed. And I'm sure there's plenty of time for at least 3 new illegal wars in that time. Which in turn will cost us all.

If they start taxing people to drive on motorways, than the network of old roads around the motorways will be blocked.

 

Most of the motorways have a A-road which follows the motorway (A4, A3, A25, A27 etc.)

 

It won't matter which roads you use, because you will be charged by the mile regardless of the journey (satellite tracking)...................... :rolleyes:

It won't matter which roads you use' date=' because you will be charged by the mile [i']regardless [/i]of the journey (satellite tracking)...................... :rolleyes:

 

But then I will buy a taxi :laugh3:

10 years you say? Enough time for the government to introduce ID cards with new passports and fleece you one last time before your departure? :P

 

True that, although my current passport lasts until Jan 2017, so unless they replace all passports I won't get caught up, because I believe from next-year or so, when you get a new passport you get an ID card.

I think you'll have to get a new one anyway at some point....2010 if I remember.