""A national speed limit of 50mph would make roads safer," said Griffith"
Well this is the letter I sent in:
Hi,
I am writing a publication for an online safety report, and would like a
question answered that has been bugging me for a while. Most government run
schemes to enforce road safety are the introduction of "speed cameras", one
such place is the motorway. One big question I have kept asking myself, and
which I have yet to answer in my publication is: Why are cars not
electronically limited to 70 miles per hour?
This is the maximum speed limit that is legal on the UK roads. If speeding
is of such great importance to saftey I can see no such reason that car
manufacturers should not be made to limit their cars to 70 mph. This would
save huge amounts of police/ambulances and fire crews that would otherwise
be chasing people speeding, surely if they can't speed then this would free
a huge amount of resources and would also save lives as well as provide a
better mpg return thus saving on pollution, it would also mean that people
could spend 100% attention on the road and their mirrors rather than
focusing on their car's speed, which they would no could now, not exceed the
speed limit.
I look forward to any comments you have,
Regards,
Reply was:
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Thank you for your email of 17 October concerning speed limits. I am replying as I deal with speed limit policy.
To place a manufacturing restriction on the sale and use of cars that can exceed the speed limit, would require European agreement. If the UK were to introduce this type of restriction of its own accord, we would undoubtedly place an unfair trade restriction on many companies. This would isolate us further us from competing in an already highly competitive market, and trade would be affected.
In addition, drivers are quite within their rights to take their cars on private land (race tracks, for example) and race them. A speed restriction would undoubtedly curtail this particular pastime.
Ultimately, a car itself is not dangerous, however the manner in which the vehicle is used may be dangerous. To reduce vehicle performance will not decrease irresponsible and discourteous driving.
I hope this is helpful.
Ian Edwards
Even road safety know speeding isn't the major cause of accidents.