National speed limit to be cut to 50mph on "most roads" as early as 2010

[NathanE]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article5864847.ece

THE government is to cut the national speed limit from 60mph to 50mph on most of Britain’s roads, enforced by a new generation of average speed cameras.

The reduction , to be imposed as early as next year, will affect two thirds of the country’s road network. Drivers will still be able to reach 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways and 60mph on the safest A roads.

Jim Fitzpatrick, the roads minister, defended the plan, which will be the most dramatic cut since 1978, when the national speed limit was reduced from 70mph to 60mph.

“There will be some in the driving lobby who think this is a further attack and a restriction on people’s freedom,” he said. “But when you compare that to the fact we are killing 3,000 people a year on our roads, it would be irresponsible not to do something about it. I’m sure that the vast majority of motorists would support the proposals.”

Bit of a strange timeframe to announce this considering the country is due an election in early 2010... not exactly going to win votes is it!

 

[yantorsen]

I don't think the vast majority would support the proposals.

 

[Skeeter]

Nice, all them new cameras should cost a pretty penny, that will make all us tax payers happy... well done Mr Government.

 

[Edward01]

Absolutely ridiculous idea. The fact that road injures and deaths are getting lower despite the rise in motorists proves we don't need it. Just an excuse for them to get wide spread cameras.

I really really hate this government.

 

[Clarkey]

Well, if there's one thing our government can do well, it's waste lots of money. This is exactly the kind of stupid idea they'd go ahead with.

I wonder how many of those 3000 a year killed were obeying the 60mph limit?

 

[oldbag]

Something else that will cost a fortune for little effect. Similar to the interest rate cut.

 

[Tom|Nbk]

:/

 

[Skeeter]

New research by the Department for Transport has found that reducing the speed limit could save 200-250 lives a year and also reduce carbon emissions

Its got nothing to do with saving lives, its all about CO2. They have just casually dropped this into the article, but I guarantee this will be the reason. There are far more sensible and believable ways to save 250 lives a year, but I sure they wont make the Government look like tree hugging do gooders.

 

[Dorje]

This is just specifically targets single lane roads doesn't it?

Still, pretty annoying how they seem to target speeding as the primary cause for accidents rather than anything else.

 

[Lum]

"Doctor! the medicine isn't working!"
"Double the dose!"

Road deaths aren't really getting lower, not by any significant amount. There used to be a year on year fall but this stopped (or at least drastically slowed down) at the same time as the government abandoned most of it's road safety schemes ("green cross code", "dip don't dazzle", etc. etc.) and replaced them with "speed kills".

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this isn't about about safety, nor is it about making a profit, it's about extending the reach of control and surveillance the government has over it's population, justified by citing safety and environmental crap. In a year or so's time these cameras will start logging your numberplates so as to record details of every journey you make. This will be justified as being necessary to fight all those terrorists who register their cars in their own name.

 

[Skeeter]

Just had a thought, this will be great for spotting the driving idiots. They will drop the limit to 50, and people will pootle along at exactly 50. I will get annoyed, and overtake them, and that person will then go to people and tell stories of this "nutter" who "went flying past them at 60 on the road".... forgetting the fact that yesterday they drove that exact same road in the exact same car, at exactly the same time, but doing bang on 60mph, and consider themselves to be gods gift to safe driving....

 

[oldbag]

This is just specifically targets single lane roads doesn't it?

Still, pretty annoying how they seem to target speeding as the primary cause for accidents rather than anything else.

Yeah, because they don't count idiots running down the road at night dressed in black, or idiots on bicycles with no lights dressed in black.

 

[Muffin`]

It's a revenue generator for the recession and it helps curb fuel usage and ultimatly CO2. Of course it will make no sodding difference to CO2 as cars on a whole account for a fraction of the worlds CO2 emmisions.

 

[paradigm]

Pathetic.

I've been noticing a lot of "decent" A roads dropping to 50MPH for what appeared to be no reason, and now we see the real picture.

I really hope to god that the nation finally is able to see sense and vote labour out. Well done labour, one more big push and you might be able to royally **** up the country once and for all.

 

[Skeeter]

It's a revenue generator for the recession and it helps curb fuel usage and ultimatly CO2. Of course it will make no sodding difference to CO2 as cars on a whole account for a fraction of the worlds CO2 emmisions.

Tell that to a Greenpeace hippy, they will beat you to death with a Tofu salad in a hemp fibre satchel.

 

[mark66]

Nice, so those without Cruise Control will spend more time concentrating on the speedo than the road ahead

Also does this country really need yet more CCTV cameras? The fact that these camera work by reading your registration plate to calculate your speed, means that the government will know even more so than ever where we all are and where we go. I am not usually one for paranoia about the State, but these measures will be with us forever and will push us closer still to having an Orwellian society.

 

[Skeeter]

The question is... will these measures be in place before the next general election...

 

[paradigm]

Question: Why when cars are becomming safer, in both terms of pedestrian safety margins and crumple zones, as well as vastly reduced braking distances and electronically aided stability systems, are we now allowed to drive more slowly than we were 30 years ago when cars were dangerously crap?

Answer: Because this has nothing to do with road safety.

 

[decto]

Another attack on the motorist. The modern car is safer than ever. National speed limit roads have few pedestrians and it's not like you stand any more chance of living if you're hit at 50 than 60.

Purely to help the government reach is CO2 targets.

More speed cameras.... great.... the current ones are so effective that road deaths have increased so lets have some more..

 

[Barks]

Head in hands.

Oh yes because hitting a 10 year old head on at 50mph, as opposed to 60mph, is really going to save their life.

I think the current NSL is perfect to be honest. 70mph is too much but 50mph is too slow. I get so annoyed at the people who do 40-50mph on country/NSL roads.