Speeding kills, we’re told. But in the right circumstances, exceeding the limit is no bad thing. Take motorways: few drivers seem to stick to 70mph, yet most journeys are perfectly safe. Indeed, when I’m behind the wheel, I like putting my foot down as much as the next driver. Fortunately in the 30 years since I passed my test I’ve been pretty lucky; I’ve clocked up two or three speed awareness courses, but somehow I’ve managed to keep hold of my licence.
Yet despite my run ins with the DVLA, I firmly believe there’s a case for 20mph limits in certain areas. This new speed limit has been rolled out on residential roads in Wales and parts of London, sparking a backlash from motorists. Perhaps, though, telling motorists like me to slow down is no bad thing.
Why? Because sadly we have become a nation of people who drive to the limits set for us, and some drivers then become fractious when they can’t.
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