England's motorways unfit for 80mph speed limit

16 May 2012

England’s motorway network is not safe for an 80mph speed limit, according to a new report from the Road Safety Foundation.

Poorly-maintained and inadequate roadside protection and the rising risk of shunt crashes from the volume of traffic using England’s motorways are key concerns in the report, ‘Unfit for 80’, which is published while the government continues to consider a review of the motorway speed limit.

In autumn 2011, Philip Hammond, former secretary of state for transport, stated the government’s desire to make motorway speed limits reflect the reality of modern vehicles and driving conditions, and to consider the economic benefits of shorter journey times.

However, the Road Safety Foundation report finds that motorways do not currently provide enough protection to car occupants to consider raising the speed limit.

For the full report please click here.