In a bid to boost the economy,
the Transport Secretary has announced the government’s plans to increase the
UK’s current maximum motorway speed limit from 70mph to 80mph in 2013.
The Government reckons the
increase will have the effect of saving hundreds of millions of pounds annually
by enabling people to get to places quicker.
The Government says the increased speed limit balances the costs and
benefits and brings the UK in line with other EU countries.
I question, what will happen
about enforcement? If the police continue to follow present guidelines, then speeds could reach 90mph before any
action is taken.
The increase of the maximum speed
limit to 80mph will surely increase the number of accidents on the roads.
An increase in maximum speed
limits combined with the wet and cold weather conditions this country is
renowned for, will lead to treacherous and hazardous driving conditions and
ultimately an increase in the number of high speed impacts and tragedies encountered
on the roads. It’s interesting that there is nothing from the Government on
implementing a weather dependant maximum speed limit, such as in France. When
it rains on our French cousins the speed limit is 110 kilometres per hour, or
68.75 miles per hour: a slower speed limit than in the UK.
Other dangers posed by vehicle
problems, dangerous driving and driver fatigue are heightened and, more
inevitably, at faster speeds.
The potential for motorway pile
ups could increase as stopping distances will be shortened, reaction times
lessened and so the number of high speed road traffic collisions resulting in
serious, catastrophic and even fatal injuries could also rise.
Sadly, with an increase in persons
involved in such accidents suffering catastrophic injuries such as brain
injuries, quadriplegia and paraplegia, the already pressurised NHS will also be
affected with regard to the immediate and long term treatment costs required by
such accident victims.
Acting for victims of such
accidents in claims for compensation gives you a great deal of insight into how
lives are turned upside down after such accidents. The injured person and their families suffer
not only the horrendous injuries, physically, mentally and emotionally, they
also suffer vast financial losses including a loss of earnings, loss of future
earnings as well as the cost of long term medical treatment. Pensions are
affected, care and assistance is required and often required for the rest of
their lives. Houses need to be adapted
or even sold to accommodate the injured person.
These claims are complex and
costly. Could this be yet another excuse the insurance industry gives for
maintaining, of even increasing further, the cost of road traffic insurance?
One thing all drivers should be careful
of is to ensure, if any part of their working day other than their commute,
involves driving they need to make sure their policy covers driving whilst
working and not just social and leisure. Working drivers traditionally do more
motorway driving so perhaps that is where the insurers will look to take
advantage of this change in the law and increasing their revenue once more.