Motorway speed limit

I can't see an politician going for this as the first time there's a death even remotely linked to a legal high speed they'll be crucified.

I did once cruise at an indicated 130 on a pretty deserted road but slowed down when approaching other traffic and sped up gradually after passing. It can be a bit disconcerting being passed at warp speed.

I was a bit surprised I confess. Volvo man said word in the industry was that it would go up to 80mph as part of the abandonment of smart motorways, as studies had proved it improved flow and reduced congestion.

Yesterday, the sheer idiocy of smart motorways was once again highlighted to me. Heading down the M3 in free-flowing traffic, the signs flashed up that the inner of the four lanes was closed due to a broken down vehicle and reducing the speed limit to 40mph in the remaining three. This caused an instant tailback lasting for miles and miles. All eventually due to one expired Saab convertible whose driver had anyway half buried it in the verge with the flashers on, presumably because without a proper hard shoulder it must be absolutely terrifying in that period of time between breaking down and having the motorway technicians realise and dispatch the traffic wombles.

As soon as we were past, the traffic was back up to 70mph and flowing freely again. It is an insane system.

Almost all the drivers don't see it as carte blanche and never did, even before the advisory limit was introduced. Most drivers on the Autobahn are sensible enough to drive at the speed they see as comfortable and remain aware of their surroundings at all times. I've driven at proper Autobahn speeds since '89 and the main differences in those roads and our motorways:

- When the 130 / 120 / 110 limit signs come up everyone slows down because clearly there's a limit in that section for a reason.
- The unlimited sections are in the open country on sections that are low volume, so the M6 toll road could be a UK comparison.
- Most drivers move back right when they've overtaken, even if they're doing 250kph.
- You don't want to do it at night without voodoo lights: they are notoriously dark.

For all the unlimited sections in Germany this summer we visited Lazise on Lake Garda and drove from Austria. The Autostrada we drove on was the A22 Autostrada del Brennero and we joined it just around dusk. Whatever the speed limit is supposed to be it wasn't to the extent I don't recall being overtaken very often but I wasn't a standout maniac at 180-200kph. The road is immaculate and a joy to drive. That it leads to Modena is no surprise methinks.

Of course I'm dead now because as we all know, Speed Kills.......

From what I remember this all came about because Luz Truss was talking about not having the lower speed limits on smart motorways mandatory so going back to the old system where an advisory speed limit was posted rather than having random drops in speed limits being accompanied by the flicker of speed cameras suddenly catching people doing 60 in a 40 as they try to safely reduce their speed.

I once got to an indicated 150 on an almost empty motorway - I have to say it's quite scary how fast you approach normal 80-90mph traffic - the thought of someone else doing it who didn't have the thought, "shit I'd better slow down quickly before I get to those cars is even more scary. I think an 80mph limit would be more than sufficient (allowing for how most break the speed limit) - I don't think I'd drive any faster than I do now - I'd just be driving legally more of the time.

I was just reading yesterday that Glasgow (shortly thereafter followed by the rest of Scotland once it is announced as a pre determined fantastic success) is going to make all residential roads a 20mph limit!

The Greens are overjoyed at the prospect and state that it will lead to a huge reduction in emissions - not in my car and a very large number of others, it won't! Higher revs, lower gear and far less momentum to allow progress on inclines without more throttle. It's a recipe for everything to come to a halt.

I'd happily see 85mph as a motorway limit although the Green lobby in Scotland are highly likely to refuse such an increase and would probably reduce it to 60mph just because they can. Many moons ago we drove to Dover to see my brother, at a time when the average motorway south of the border moved along quite comfortably at an average outside lane speed of 85/90mph. I felt quite comfortable keeping up with traffic although tailgaiters were an issue.

If the motorway speed limit is raised to 80 or 85mph you can call me Susan and I'll show my arse in Fenwick's window.

This is like most other issues with some kind of lobby group attached to them: a blinkered view with no understanding or acceptance of the practical or physical realities. Like transgender sports and prisons for instance.

Sadly, 'everywhere' seems to be heading on an ever-tightening spiral of horribleness which defies any attempt at reversal. 

Can we maybe just switch the world off and on again, see what happens? 

Noted.