According to the Daily Mail, the Government is now in talks about the possibility of reducing speed limits on most rural single-carriageway roads from 60 mph to 50 mph. Judging by statistics, road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick claims these areas are most likely too see accidents and therefore, cutting speed limits is required. In 2007, there were 2,946 deaths and 30,000 serious injuries on British roads. In 29 percent of them, it resulted that speeding was responsible for the crashes.
What's more, a fifth of all road deaths were caused by motorists who were driving under the effect of illegal substances. That's why, it has been suggested that "drug-drive-limit" could be also approved by the Government.
As a matter of fact, Government is already working on a range of rules to increase road safety. These include punishments for those who use their cell phone while behind the wheel and six penalty points on drivers who break speed limits "excessively'"
Certainly, the proposals has already found its critics, including the Automobile Association who asked for a "targeted approach" rather for a "blanket" reduction.
"Rather than impose a blanket cut, the Government should adopt a targeted approach," explained AA director Edmund King.
However, the Government is still in debates and no final conclusion has yet been reached.
"This is something that is being looked at, but no decisions have yet been taken," a spokeswoman for a Department for Transport said.
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