Motorway Speed Limits - The AA Motoring Trust's Position

An article in The Observer on 8 May reported The AA Motoring Trust to be backing an 80 mph limit on motorways.

A key point to note is that the suggested pilot scheme for a limit of 80 mph relates only to controlled motorway sections, such as those that are in place on the M25 near Heathrow.

The AA Motoring Trusts policy paper: The Motorway Speed Limit 70 mph, 75 mph or 80 mph is one of a series of papers that has been produced to refine policy positions and stimulate discussion.

In summary, the AA Trust paper argues that:

• There are currently two speed limits: the legal 70 mph limit; and the unofficial and generally tolerated 80 mph limit, below which drivers are unlikely to be prosecuted
• Most motorists readily accept this and most do not exceed 80 mph, even when traffic conditions would allow it; only a minority choose to drive at more than 80 mph
• A blanket increase in the motorway speed limit to 80 mph would, in the absence of strict enforcement, lead to unacceptable enforcement "drift" to 90 mph. This would increase the risk of accidents and raise the total of fatal and serious injuries
• On controlled motorways only, where the speed limit can be lowered to suit traffic conditions, the limit could, under appropriate conditions, be raised to 80 mph
• With enforcement clicking in automatically. For example, on the M25 near Heathrow, exceeding the displayed limit triggers the cameras into action. For a pilot scheme, cameras would be set to low tolerances, such as 82 mph to deter "speeding drift" to 90 mph or above
• Under the pilot scheme, the 80 mph limit would operate only when traffic conditions were suitable, just as the limit can currently be reduced from 70 mph to suit traffic conditions
• Under the pilot scheme, the variable speed limits displayed on the gantries would operate constantly in real time
• The AA Trust believes drivers need to be made much more aware of the risks of speed. Equally, they need to understand that the risk to them changes not only between road sections, but also when there are changes in traffic density, weather or visibility. All these factors would be taken into account to ensure that, on controlled motorways, drivers would know that:
  • the speed displayed is right for the conditions
  • it is safer for them
  • enforcement will be strict, with minimal tolerance above the set limit.