Safe Speed Forums

The 70mph limit makes no sense

I know none of you was surprised to read in The Daily Telegraph yesterday that speeding accounts for only five per cent of crashes on the roads and that speed cameras, therefore, do nothing for road safety. Most accidents are caused by drivers not paying attention, and no doubt the Government has boffins busily perfecting a camera that will detect any signs of that – such as drivers wantonly changing from Radio 4 to Radio 3 – and will issue swingeing fines accordingly. I am happy for there to be strict controls in built-up areas, and especially outside schools at certain times of the day. But for the most part our rules about speed are illogical, outdated and exist purely as an alternative form of revenue for the Government and insurance companies – the latter make a mint by raising premiums for perfectly safe drivers who have been nicked. When there were no motorways, and cars were rust-bucket death-traps, the 70mph limit made sense. Now it doesn't. It's not a review that's needed, but a complete overhaul of this absurd curse on the motorist.