Mike Waters’ Blog: 14 September 2007

Road speed reductions – a long time overdue

As some of you may have heard, there have been recent rumblings within the England, Scotland and Wales traffic authorities following a request from Ministers to conduct a speed limit review. Specifically, this could mean a reduction in the current 60mph limit placed on many rural roads.

For those of us that frequently negotiate A and B roads as a means of avoiding traffic on motorways, it can often mean a crash course in slalom driving and off-roading.

On the majority of these roads the 60mph limit is simply too fast and I have no idea how anyone could stick to the road surface at that kind of speed.

The roads in question, which are commonly located in rural areas, are often placed under local council control. It is therefore not unheard of to find four or five different speed limits along one road, in a variety of positions.

This review of rural speed limits is long overdue and I believe could have a very positive impact on business drivers that use them on a daily basis. It is all to easy for drivers to rush around country lanes in order to get to their next meeting on time and with the speed limits only 10mph lower than the motorway, there is no real motivation for drivers to ease off the accelerator.

In terms of the implications on congestion, don’t expect sudden increasing tailbacks due to 30mph speed limits on dual carriageways. If existing speed limits are working effectively in terms of monitoring traffic and reducing accidents, then they will remain unchanged.

The new limits are not due to come into force until 2011 but as always, I think it is an excuse for business drivers to take stock and evaluate their own driving methods.

Do you find yourself hurtling around sharp corners on country lanes?

Maybe you travel at rocket speed down single and dual carriageways in order to get to that important meeting on time?

My advice and this will come as no surprise, is to plan ahead. That extra five minutes spent in the office planning your route or even setting off five minutes earlier than usual could prevent an accident prone speed run and still get you to your meeting on time.

Until next week,

Mike