When the UK implemented its national speed limit of 70 mph in 1967, it marked a significant milestone intended to enhance road safety.
At that time, the average family vehicle had basic power, rudimentary braking systems, and few safety features.
Today, however, the automotive landscape has undergone substantial changes, rendering many of the regulations set more than half a century ago increasingly obsolete.
The Evolution of Car Technology
Since 1967, cars have seen remarkable advancements, particularly in braking performance and safety.
Starting in the Nineties, vehicles began to feature advanced braking technologies such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), airbags, and electronic stability control (ESC).
These developments enable cars to stop more quickly and maintain better control in emergency situations, significantly reducing braking distances compared to older vehicles.
Furthermore, innovations such as airbags, crumple zones, and more recently, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) like lane departure warnings, autonomous braking, and adaptive cruise control, have become standard in most vehicles.
These technologies not only offer protection in the event of a collision but also help prevent accidents from happening in the first place. The contrast between a 1967 car and one from 2024 is striking, yet the speed limits remain unchanged.
Why the Existing Speed Limit is Outdated
The current speed limit was established during an era when cars lacked the advanced safety features and braking capabilities that are now standard.
In 1968, a vehicle traveling at 70 mph required considerably more distance to come to a stop than modern cars do.
The speed limits, therefore, fail to account for the improved safety and handling characteristics of today’s vehicles, resulting in a mismatch between legal limits and technological progress.
As vehicles have become more sophisticated, the case for revisiting speed limits has grown stronger. Modern cars are not only safer at higher speeds but also more stable and responsive. Maintaining a 70 mph limit ignores the significant strides made in vehicle safety and performance.
According to the Highway Code, the recommended stopping distance for a car traveling at 70 mph is 315 feet (96 meters).
This distance includes both the thinking distance (the time it takes for a driver to react and begin braking) and the braking distance (the distance traveled after applying the brakes).
For a typical 2024 car equipped with modern braking systems like ABS and ESC, the braking distance can be much shorter.
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On average, a 2024 vehicle may have a braking distance of around 190 to 200 feet (58 to 61 meters) at 70 mph, depending on factors such as tire condition, road surface, and vehicle type.
This means the total stopping distance, including the thinking distance, could be as little as 245 to 255 feet (75 to 78 meters), significantly shorter than the 315 feet recommended by the Highway Code.
As an example, a 2022 Lamborghini Huracan can stop from 70 mph in just 135 feet, which is less than half of the Highway Code’s suggested stopping distance.
The Case for a Tiered Driving Licence System
To address the gap between outdated speed limits and modern vehicle capabilities, one potential solution is the introduction of a tiered driving licence system, similar to Australia’s “super-car” licence.
Under this system, drivers of high-performance vehicles would need to undergo additional training and testing to obtain a special licence that allows them to drive at higher speeds.
This system would offer several advantages. First, it acknowledges that not all vehicles are the same—what is safe in a high-performance sports car may not be safe in an older or less capable vehicle.
Second, it ensures that only drivers who have demonstrated a higher level of skill and understanding of their vehicle’s capabilities are allowed to drive at elevated speeds. This approach could make roads safer by ensuring that only those who are properly trained can operate at higher speeds.
Why Haven’t These Limits Been Updated?
Why, then, have speed limits not been updated to reflect the capabilities of modern vehicles? Some argue that the answer may not lie in concerns over safety, but rather in potential financial incentives for authorities.
The Financial Incentive: Fines and Revenue Generation
One theory suggests that the reluctance to raise speed limits may be due, at least in part, to the substantial revenue generated from speeding fines.
In 2020 alone, over 2 million speeding tickets were issued in the UK, generating millions of pounds in fines. A recent survey by Carwow indicated that speed cameras alone brought in £391 million over the past five years.
By maintaining speed limits that many drivers struggle to adhere to, especially on long stretches of motorway, authorities can continue to issue fines consistently.
Critics argue that this creates a financial incentive for keeping speed limits low, as increasing the limits could reduce the number of fines issued, thereby cutting off a lucrative source of revenue.
Safety Concerns: A Convenient Justification?
While the financial benefits of maintaining current speed limits are apparent, authorities frequently justify their stance by citing safety concerns.
It is true that higher speeds can increase the severity of accidents, yet there has been no move to introduce more advanced training.
Road conditions, weather, and driver behavior are all known to play critical roles in road safety.
However, the fact remains that today’s vehicles are far better equipped to handle higher speeds safely than those built in the 1960s, when the 70 mph limit was set and considered reasonable.
Modern vehicles feature advanced aerodynamics, superior braking systems, and improved handling, all of which contribute to safer high-speed driving than was possible decades ago.
Additionally, many highways are now better maintained and have multiple lanes, which reduces the likelihood of accidents even at higher speeds. Despite these advancements, the argument for safety is often used to defend the status quo.
The Call for a Reassessment
There is growing support for revisiting current speed limits, particularly on motorways and other major roads. Advocates argue that a more nuanced approach could be adopted, where speed limits are adjusted based on road conditions, vehicle capabilities, and traffic patterns.
For example, a tiered speed limit system could allow vehicles equipped with advanced safety features to travel at higher speeds, while older or less capable vehicles would be required to adhere to lower limits.
There is also increasing pressure for greater transparency regarding the financial aspects of speeding fines.
If speed limits are indeed being kept low primarily to generate revenue, this could erode public trust in traffic enforcement as a safety measure rather than a means of raising funds.
Balancing Safety and Modern Realities
The question of why speed limits have not been updated in nearly sixty years, despite significant advancements in vehicle safety, is complex. While safety is often cited as the primary reason, potential financial motives cannot be overlooked.
As vehicle technology continues to evolve, there is a compelling argument for reassessing and potentially raising speed limits to reflect modern capabilities, ensuring that these limits serve their true purpose: keeping roads safe, rather than simply generating government revenue.
A balanced approach that considers both safety and fairness could help restore public confidence and ensure that speed limits are set at appropriate levels for today’s drivers and vehicles.
Embracing the Future of Driving
The driving environment of 1967 is vastly different from today. Vehicles are more powerful, more efficient, and significantly safer. It is time for the UK’s motorway speed limits to evolve to match these advancements.
Introducing a tiered driving licence system alongside a reassessment of speed limits could be the key to creating a safer, more efficient driving environment that reflects the capabilities of modern vehicles.
By updating speed limits and implementing a tiered licence system, we can strike a balance between road safety and the realities of contemporary driving. It’s time to embrace the future of motoring and ensure that our laws keep pace with the technology that powers it.