This seems fairly absurd but, if this proposal goes through, it looks like our friends across the pond may be facing speed limits of 50 mph on most roads. 50 mph! The mind boggles. This is being done for revenue safety because of the carnage in the financial system on the roads.
Those of you in the UK may wish to make your thoughts on this issue known by contacting the roads minister, the Department of Transport or whoever else may have a say in this.
And this from the land of the cafe racer …
Link: TimesOnline via Instapundit
Stu says
Our little island is disappearing up it’s own backside at an almost unimaginative rate.
dresden says
And make sure no one photographs any of the new signage, as I’m sure you’ll be promptly reported as a terrorist… 😛
todd says
But if you consider the exchange rates that’s really like 70mph….
-todd
Spartandude says
Sigh…This is even slower than Sammy Hagar’s lyrical rant from here in the U.S. of A.
Good luck.
Peace.
j says
Hey, the Brits are sacrificing portions of their constitution to Sharia law…..is THIS really surprising? Gordon Brown will probably suggest a new name: Triumph Scooters!
Pete P. says
This will be just as effective as the 55 MPH speed limit was back in the 70’s. Remember that? Man, am I getting old or what?
JC says
The few times I’ve been in England, I think we averaged way less than 50 mph due to massive traffic, and that is including on motorways.
At what point does the speed limit get so low that everyone either takes the train, or speeds at will? Oh wait, no jury trial to have sympathetic peers get you off…
kim says
Lower speed limits means fewer accidents and less fuel burned, simple as that. can’t live with that, then elect somebody else next time, if going fast on public roads is you main criteria. Yes, it’s no fun, and probably expensive when (not if, but when) I get caught. So it’ll be track days or remote roads for the speeders.
F0ul says
The UK is run by a bunch of totaliatarians – In 2 years there will be an election (if they don’t cancel it) and we can be rid of these power mad idiots.
The daft thing is, 50mph is faster than the average speed limits set on the road rallies I used to follow in the 80’s and they were fast!!
It is possibly time to buy an African registered vehicle so it doesn’t show up on the EU master database!
danno says
Three letters: N F W. The Brits repelled exorbitant petrol prices in the 90’s, there is no way they’ll let this stand. I hope not, at least.
To quote King Claudius (from Hamlet): Do it England!
marvin says
Speaking as a Brit this is only for 1 lane each way roads not highways and as a Brit we will continue to think rule are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men and go what ever damn speed we want what what. The UK police in the main are very sensible and provided you are not riding past a school or hospital will put an AWFUL lot of speed down to instrument error. I was once clocked at 98.8 on an old 350 and stopped by a cop who just wanted to congratulate me on how close I got to the ton on an old rust bucket!
C.P.T.L. says
From the country that gave the world George Orwell, who warned of the hell that is a surveillance state, and then stupidly went ahead and built a surveillance state: now they can watch each other on CCTV getting tickets for going 52mph.
They’re also working up a scheme to put GPS in every vehicle and charge drivers by the mile.
I love the Brits but some of the things they do leave me shaking my head.
Erik says
Fifty miles per hour is second gear, what in the heck would I do with the other four?
Fraser says
50. Sucks. Nanny State. There’s even a doctor over here wants everyone to give up chocolate, and the government to tax it the same as alcohol and tobacco, and even got his case heard before a parliamentary committee!!!!
What’s needed is EDUCATION, because this is being brought about by the number of new young DRIVERS, not RIDERS, who are wrapping themselves around trees.
Speed does NOT kill, BAD DRIVING, which includes INAPPROPRIATE speed, does kill.
They are even trying to pass new rules on speeding, which would mean that 20mph over the limit would result in the largest fines, incremental at 10 over, 15 over. Think about it, The urban limit is 30mph, motorways is 70. This would put the message out that 50 in a 30 is the same as 90 in a 70. What GARBAGE is that? Make it 20 percent over. This proves that these bleeding hearts dont THINK or LISTEN to the major motoring bodies, who are against both of these measures as they stand.
Marcus says
Here in South Australia the speed limit is 50km/h on most roads. KM/H.