Friday 30 September 2011

Beware of governments bearing gifts

On the face of it, the government's plans to raise the top speed limit to 80 mph sounds good. It is clearly the case that, conditions permitting, 80 mph is a safe speed. But only a hopeless naif would take a government plan on face value.

So, if they do go ahead with the plan, expect the appearance of another few thousand speed cameras on the motorways to accompany the change and a "get tough" policy on anyone marginally over the new limit. And, according to the Guardian, they will be extending 20 mph speed limits in built-up areas.

Of course, the (often tax-payer-funded) road safety lobby will complain about the increase, and the enviro-loons will complain about fuel efficiency - not that these latter have been particularly vocal during the rise of the road hump, which has forced drivers to waste gallons of fuel chugging along in 2nd gear, and shortens the life-span of cars.

2 comments:

FrankC said...

"the road hump, which has forced drivers to waste gallons of fuel chugging along in 2nd gear" and even then bounces a mini like a Tigger.

Trooper Thompson said...

FrankC,

I wonder if I am alone in connecting the rise of the road hump with the rise of the SUV?

I used to drive a little car, which you'd think, was quite adequate for living in London, but it got beaten to shit by the humps, so I got a bigger one.