Just found this on MSN news...and I wonder just how many people are going to be taken in by this...

Proposal to cut rural speed limit

pa.press.net

The Government is considering cutting speed limits on most rural single-carriageway roads from 60mph to 50mph.

Ministers believe the potentially unpopular move may be needed to cut the number of deaths among motorists and pedestrians. But the Automobile Association warned that there should be no "blanket" reduction, and instead called for a "targeted approach".

Currently the speed limit on almost all single carriageway roads outside of towns is set at 60mph, except for at accident blackspots.

However, road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick is said to have been struck by figures showing that the rural parts of the road network were more prone to crashes.

Mr Fitzpatrick is looking at reducing limits in a bid to improve the UK's road safety record, which used to rank among the best in the world but has slipped in recent years.

In 2007 there were 2,946 deaths and 30,000 serious injuries on British roads, with speed being a factor in 29% of them.

The Government has brought forward a range of proposals to try to boost safety, including imposing six penalty points on motorists who break speed limits "excessively", and punishments for using mobile phones while driving.

There are also suggestions that a formal "drug-drive limit" could be introduced, after statistics showed a fifth of all road deaths were caused by drivers on illegal substances.

AA director Edmund King told the Sunday Telegraph: "Rather than impose a blanket cut, the Government should adopt a targeted approach."

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "This is something that is being looked at, but no decisions have yet been taken."

 

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Now is just me or does anyone else see this as yet another control measure being set in place; another lame excuse for more cameras; another means of extracting more revenue from the motorist?

 

If a car hits a pedestrian at 60mph the pedestrian is Dead...if the car hits at 50 mph the pedestrian is stil Dead; just a little less splatter...thats why we had the drive to reduce speed limits in towns from 30 to 20mph; strange though the way where ever these changes were introduced they were accompanied by more cameras...

 

The government is using Statistics again; 2,946 deaths and 30,000 serious injuries; but how many of these occurred in rural situations?

 

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It's happened/ is happening already. In my job as a service engineer I see more and more stretches of road (usually policed by Police ATM's, sorry that should be speed cameras) with a 50mph limit for no apparent reason. These stretches of road are usually straight, dual carriageway and out of the way, thus the temptation to ignore the speed limit and get caught (had a clean licence all my driving life so far, touch wood). Mr Brown et al have got to get some revenue in to their coffers now they've given most of it to the banks!!

Mark

Exactly my thoughts!

In Dorset there is a wonderful piece of dual carriageway, the A338  that links Bournemouth with the A31 near Ringwood, strangely enough it's called the Bournemouth Spur road or Wessex Way. The Dorset Authority has seen fit to reduce the speed limit to 50mph on the last ten miles or so of this road between the Bournemouth Hurn Airport turn off and the start of the dual carriageway on the Bournemouth Ring road. Not only are there at least three sets of cameras on this section, they are designed to be reversible with the tidal flow of traffic and they are routinely backed up with mobile Gatsos. The mobile ones are not painted as they should be and the controlling unmarked cars / vans are more often than not parked out of sight.

In Hampshire on the northern approach into Portsmouth on the M275 the speed limit has been reduced to 50 mph. On the same road going out of Portsmouth the first mile or so is at 40mph (and this includes the exit from the Portsmouth Ferryport)...which then becomes 70mph, so we have the ridiculous situation where Northbound traffic has a 70mph limit but Southbound on the same stretch is 50 then 40 then 30...This entire stretch is speed camera monitored in both directions...

Edit;

Its been two years since I last saw Portsmouth and I've just been onto Google Earth to check out the latest variations on the M275...It seems the entire length of this motorway is now 50mph...except the last mile or so going into and leaving the City where it is 30mph...so if you use the Ferryport be warned! Its 50 all the way out to the M27/A27...They are out to get you...

End Edit

Its all about revenue...

This message was last edited by foxbat on 3/8/2009.

Dear All,

we designed our new motorways for 120 mph, these are now restricted to 70 mph and the police no longer come alongside you at 30 mph and tell you to get off onto ordinary roads.

our country lanes were designed for the horse and cart at 7 mph and are shared with pedestrians, farm vehicles and animals, these are restricted to 60 mph and are universally used as "rat runs" by every smart driver who knows a "cut through".

This basic absurdity is more than absurd, it is insane.

Yet those of us who have to use country lanes have to suffer it every day, it is a daily game of "chicken".

Some time ago my van was hit almost head on whilst stationary, in anticipation, by a young driver cresting a hill around a bend while chatting and looking at to his girlfriend passenger, skidding out of control from speed.

His explanation to the court was that he was not exceeding the speed limit, the road was a bit windy ( 7 multiple S bends) and that I had appeared suddenly.

The country lanes are generally empty of pedestrians these day, because of life style and the danger, few cyclists are brave enough either and the "rat runners" anticipate empty lanes.

Some thing should definitely be done about it.

Regards

Norman

This message was last edited by normansands on 3/9/2009.