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

[clairemcnam]

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.

Speed limits are more likely to go down rather rise, and even if limits were raised it wouldn’t happen overnight! More and more motorways are becoming smart motorways so people are going to have to slow down, whether they like it or not. A lot of people already have, in my opinion. Even in the middle of the night (I regularly drive on motorways in the middle of the night, all over the country). I’ve slowed my speed a lot lately.

and even if limits were raised it wouldn’t happen overnight!

How else can a speed limit change, up or down, other than overnight. That's when they send the contractors out to change the signage.

Yes but it would be proposed in parliament and debated, so would not be a shock to car manufacturers...

I agree that the volume of traffic makes driving more dangerous now. At one time, especially on motorways, there used to be relatively few cars and driving in the daytime was similar to now driving at 2 am.

At one time, especially on motorways, there used to be relatively few cars and driving in the daytime was similar to now driving at 2 am.

When?

I’m in my 40s. When I was a child we used to travel across the U.K. and Europe with my dad driving at night because of motorway traffic. Certainly we considered the M25 little more than a car park during the day when that was built.

I am in my late 50s.

So you’re talking about when you were a child, then?

Yes, as you were.

Great. So over 50 years ago things were different?

Hold the front page.

Lol

Ok ok we got to the bottom of it now. You're just an old fart.

Nice insults.
I was responding to the person talking about what it was like driving in the past and whether it was safer or not. Please keep up with the thread.

Oh ffs it was a joke. But seems I wasn't far off.

Cars are safer these days and quality of roads are higher standard.

Yes, I would agree. Don't see why anyone needs to do more than 70 in any country. As a PP said, it's not the speed, it's the stopping in case of emergency/accident. I hate driving at 70 and don't feel that safe (but have been driving for over 30 years), and lower speeds also mean much better fuel economy.

I also agree - 70 is plenty. I do get the argument about sometimes having to accelerate to get yourself out of trouble though.

On balance though, the volume of traffic isn't the same. Yes cars are safer, but the risk of accident is higher, due to more vehicles

And extreme impatience.

I have driven in motorways where there is an accident up ahead or a shredded tire or a large swan on the road. You need to be able to stop if there is an issue. There comes a point when that is unlikely at certain speeds.

Let’s make all roads 20mph then. You know, in case of large swans.

In fact, why not just make everyone rollerskate everywhere?

You need to be able to stop if there is an issue. There comes a point when that is unlikely at certain speeds.

I believe all cars are built with stopping functions. There are no cars (or indeed anything else) completely incapable of stopping.

I haven’t done the proper maths, but I suspect a modern cars could slow from 100 in the space the Highway Code states should be allowed at 70.

I have been driving when a swan landed in front of me on a motorway. There were no accidents. Everyone slowed down and stopped. I had been going at 70mph.
But you simply want to take the piss than acknowledge that speed limits need to be set bearing in mind unexpected occurrences.

Bloody hell. I’ve done nearly half a million miles and not encountered a swan, a cow or any dragons (even on the Severn Bridge). I demand a refund!

I dont know what difference driving at 60mph would make when trying to emergency stop instead of 70mph.

I think you just aren't a confident driver.

Who has suggested 60mph?

It was a realistic example.
Unless you want everyone driving at 30mph on motorways?

Anyway, this thread is pretty pointless seeing as it's not going to happen and is equally moronic.

No it was not a realistic suggestion, you are making stuff up. I haven't even argued that the speed limit should stay at 70mph and not be raised. I have simply made the totally uncontroversial point that speed limits on motorways need to be set so that drivers can slow down or stop for any hazards ahead.
This is why driving at 120mph on the motorway at 2am under present conditions, will never be safe.

Speed limits are set.