A number of road safety and environmental organisations have launched a campaign against the proposed 80mph speed limit on UK motorways.
The No to 80 coalition comprises a number of high-profile organisations including Brake, Greenpeace, Roadpeace, Campaign for Better Transport, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Road Victims Trust and 10:10.
The coalition claims that not only will an 80mph limit mean more fatal accidents, it will also mean millions of tonnes more carbon dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere and will cost over £1 billion annually in economic terms.
The £1 billion figure includes:
- £62.4 million from accidents and the cost to the health services
- £180.4 million in CO2 emissions
- £766.6 million in fuel costs
An academic study has also estimated that a higher speed limit will lead to an extra 25 deaths and 100 serious injuries every year.
Here at BuyYourCar, we're divided on whether the 80mph limit on motorways is a good idea. What do you think? Do you think that the 80mph limit will benefit motorists or do you think it's a pointless example of government red tape? Write your comments below.
