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Original poster

To think cars should legally have speed limited to 70mph?

221 replies

clairemcnam · 23/02/2019 14:52

The upper speed limit in the UK is 70mph. So why does the Government not just pass a law saying that all cars should have a speed limited so that is the fastest it can go? Sure I know some people would disable it, but in general it would stop most people going faster than 70mph.

OP posts:
Boobiliboobiliboo · 23/02/2019 14:55

Because when I go to Germany, the limit isn’t 70. Because when I take my car on the track, the limit isn’t 70. Because sometimes you need to be able to drive over 70 to get away from idiots. Because the speed limit may get increased to 80 or 90 and having millions of cars limited to 70 would be less than ideal.

Because more harm is done at speeds much lower than 70 - statistically motorways are the safest roads.

Boobiliboobiliboo · 23/02/2019 14:56

And because nobody who is on a UK motorway at 2am is going 70. (It’s precisely why I choose then to travel the length and breadth of the country.)

GregoryPeckingDuck · 23/02/2019 14:58

Because that’s dangerous. There will be very rare and occasional instances when you may need to sped up to avoid a crash when other drivers are acting like idiots. Not to mention it causes issue if you are driving on mainland Europe. Plus there are some people who race on private tracks. Lots of reasons really.

Original poster
clairemcnam · 23/02/2019 14:58

I am the one going at 70 at 2am on a motorway. So not true that nobody does that speed.

OP posts:
Chimmychunga · 23/02/2019 15:06

I agree, OP but maybe a limit of 85/90mph.

Boobiliboobiliboo · 23/02/2019 15:07

Well, you’re definitely in the minority. Long as you aren’t hogging the middle lane or otherwise getting in the way I don’t care what you’re doing to be honest.

RomanyQueen1 · 23/02/2019 15:07

My dh travels long distances in the middle of the night, he isn't doing 70 I can promise you, and neither are the odd person he happens to see.

Alsohuman · 23/02/2019 15:09

Because sometimes you need to accelerate hard to avoid an accident. Ridiculous idea.

NopeNi · 23/02/2019 15:09

I agree. If it's a rule then it should be enforced more - limits would also stop us wasting as much petrol.

Of course people would just override it because they like to speed.

hoge · 23/02/2019 15:12

I do 70mph at 2am regularly. No idea how many people you have 'surveyed' to conclude that we are the minority, perhaps not a big enough group to reach an accurate result?

StinkyCandle · 23/02/2019 15:13

it won't stop morons to stay in the middle run on the motorway at low speed because it would insult their ancestors to drive on the "slow" lane.
As this is a hell of a lot more dangerous than someone driving at 80 on an empty motorway, the government should work on tackle the idiots first.

NopeNi · 23/02/2019 15:14

Automated cars might be the ultimate fix, but I hate the thought of those - (and again, people will hack them)

StinkyCandle · 23/02/2019 15:15

If I ever drive at 70 on the motorway at night, I get overtaken constantly. Not an issue, just proves that many drivers are going faster.

Boobiliboobiliboo · 23/02/2019 15:21

No idea how many people you have 'surveyed' to conclude that we are the minority, perhaps not a big enough group to reach an accurate result?

Best part of half a million miles over about 20 years.

SileneOliveira · 23/02/2019 15:21

Let me be the first!

IT'S A LIMIT, NOT A TARGET!!

(Always someone who comes out with that sanctimonious tripe on these threads).

Boobiliboobiliboo · 23/02/2019 15:22

the government should work on tackle the idiots first

I suggested removing the warnings on bottles of bleach might achieve that over the course of a year or 2.

AmyFl · 23/02/2019 15:28

I do 70 on the motorway!

legolimb · 23/02/2019 15:34

What if you wanted to go to France or Germany for a holiday with your car.? Being limited to 70mph would keep you in the slow lane all the time.

Original poster
clairemcnam · 23/02/2019 15:39

Does that matter?

OP posts:
Boobiliboobiliboo · 23/02/2019 15:39

I do 70 on the motorway!

Have a Biscuit

legolimb · 23/02/2019 15:41

Yes. As in France here are often only two lanes on the motorways and if speed is limited it would be hard to every pick up enough speed to overtake a large slow vehicle.

ArgyMargy · 23/02/2019 15:42

All those saying having limiters is dangerous are idiots - plenty of vehicles have limiters fitted. It's because we are fortunate to live in a free society where there are laws but we can choose to break them. The fuss that ensued when wearing seatbelts was made mandatory is an example of how we value our liberty. We can of course still choose not to wear a seat belt - would you suggest that a car not start if the driver is not wearing a belt?

Boobiliboobiliboo · 23/02/2019 15:44

Does that matter?

Does what matter?

Boobiliboobiliboo · 23/02/2019 15:45

All those saying having limiters is dangerous are idiots - plenty of vehicles have limiters fitted.

Generally lorries and large vans. Not cars.

Whisky2014 · 23/02/2019 15:48

Road speeds do get reviewed you know? If they change a road to 80mph what's everyone going to do?