...again.

Conservatives have proposed more freedom for motorists with a call for the national motorway speed limit to be raised from 70 to 80 mph.

Shadow Transport Secretary Damian Green has tabled an amendment to the Government's Traffic Management Bill, which is currently before Parliament.

And he told conservatives.com: "The speed limit can safely be raised on motorways, but in other areas such as roads near schools, hospitals and parks, the maximum should be lowered to 20 miles per hour when children are about."

Mr Green added: "The limit on motorways was set decades ago when cars were less safe than they now are, and when roads were less well designed. Motorways are our safest roads - road design and car design have improved over the decades since the 70 mph limit was first introduced."

The initiative is part of a wider campaign to introduce more realistic and appropriate speed limits across the country. "We should be more sensible and more variable in the speed limits we have to reflect the dangers both to drivers and equally importantly to pedestrians, particularly children," he declared.

Contrast with new campaign from THINK!

(See Pistonheads - Link "SLOW DOWN LUV!" and "Seriously" - safespeed's latest analysis on KSIs.)

The Department of Transport is launching a new poster campaign in conjunction with the Safety Partnerships.

Posters are part of "THINK!" campaign and intended to educate motorists about the correct speeds on all the road types. The posters will remind drivers that, unless otherwise signed, the speed limit on roads in built up areas is always 30mph!

To back up the campaign the DfT commissioned a survey of passengers' attitudes to speed which shows:

24% have felt angered by their significant other's speeding, which they think is "irresponsible and stupid!"

20% are scared and concerned that the driver may be killed or injured

14% worry about other road users

25% admit to pressing an imaginary foot brake
(We all did on the L-test hazard thing from PC World and are convinced the driver was Dick Ed or his daughter! (The signs were Welsh!)

1% wanted their driver to drive faster! Hmm?

David Jamieson:

"We know that two thirds of accidents are on built up roads and speed plays major part in great many of theses crashes. Sticking to the speed limit makes the roads safer for everyone!

"I am pleased that there will be a national poster campaign to remind people of speed limitss. Knowing and sticking to them will improve road safety and reduce the number of people caught by camera!"

The press release makes the CURIOUS CLAIM: "And speeding increases the likelihood of an accident as well - an average cat travelling at 35mph will need an extra 21 ft (6 metres) more to stop than one at 30mph!"

To polish it off - advice for motorists!

make sure you know the limit of the road you are using - missing the sign is no excuse!

(So put them up then - and if some twazak vandalises them - replace them as soon as we tell you about it!)

Look for the signs - if there are none, but are street lights then the limit is 30mph - and that includes dual carraigeways!

(Aaarrrghhh! Been driving 40mph too fast on the busy STREET LIGHTED stretch of M60 then! and parts of the M6, M61, M62, M63, M67, M1, M4, M40...!)

Keep glancing at your speedometer - regular checks will not affect your concentration

(Except that you travelled 20 ft whilst you were looking and the old lady just got in the way!)

Remember that speed limits are maximum - not recommendation. In some cases the safe speed will be less than the limit - amend your speed accordingly!

(Go along with that!)

Built up areas can be unpredictable: children or animals may run in front of you, or another car will pull out in front of you! Stay alert and check your speed.

(Green Cross Code and parental control - anyone? They forgot to mention the dangers of the hanging flower basket from the lamp post as well - which will sudddenly drop and land on you!

Oh! And do be careful when driving through tree lined areas - that squirrel will jump through the sun roof! And the birds in the tree will crap all over you as well! (per ADI instructor in Speedy's Lancs pub Crawl!)

It finishes by reminding us that the driver is responsible for knowing and keeping to the speed limit at all times!

(Did not mention third gear!)

Overall, not a bad campaign - as far as general advice goes! Not all drivers are Quite Good Drivers like ourselves, Hanbo, bogush, Andy, Lucy et al!

But again, the stats and percentages? The survey again is open to some doubt! Questions asked, spread of the survey, etc.

PHers had field day with this one! Check it out! What do Dutiers think?


Cheers

The Wacky Gang!

My wackier cousin posted the new campaign to bring it to our attention!

On reading it - had a coupla thoughts!

24% scared by "significant other's driving? Take it that 76% are NOT!

20% scared of being killed/injured? Take it 80% are NOT!

25% are scared of other road users? Take it 75% are NOT, and probably the 25% are scared of....CYCLISTS!!!

1% think the driver goes too slow. Ah! 99% drive at the right speed for our passengers then!

Every day in every way - it gets better and better!

You cannot make it up!!!

Hi

You obviously use "STATISTICS" like I do, take the 5% of accidents are caused by drunk drivers. Therefore 95% of accidents are caused by "sober drivers". Alarming innit!