What Should The Speed Limit Be On Motorways?

Auto Express has written about some recent research by the DfT, which states that half of us speed beyond 70mph when on motorways. Given that is the case, perhaps the next question should be about road safety – yet apparently there were 12% less deaths on our roads last year than previous. So, what should the speed limit be on motorways?
Continental motorways have a speed limit of a much more appropriate 81mph in line with the metric system. This allows for a faster traffic flow. Cars these days are arguably safer than they ever have been, with an increased number of driver aids, almost universal ABS, passenger safety cells etc. Safer vehicles mean less likelihood of serious injury should an accident happen.
Britain has had a 70mph speed limit since around 1965, with the introduction being put down to a number of accidents that occurred prior as necessitating a way to bring down dangerous speeding. Of course the real factor is driver ability. I’ve no doubt that drivers today sit a much more challenging test – yet it is still one that does not prepare a learner for driving on their own. This can only be achieved by a pre-requisite post test set of lessons – a compulsory ‘Pass Plus’ if you like.
Ultimately, higher speeds are always going to mean more danger as there are going to be those that continue to speed ever higher, tailgate and follow other bad driving practice. However, motorways are statistically the safest roads in Britain, so let’s see an increase to 80mph!