Chris

Not on 60mph roads, judging by DoT's own statistics. They're claiming a possible reduction in 200-250 road deaths as a result of reducing the speed limit.

So where are the other 2,750?

Answer: local roads, mostly in 30 limits, outside homes, parks and schools.

There's no doubt it's barmy to have the limit at 60mph on some of our rural roads. The road past my house is narrow, winding and almost single-track in places, yet technically it's not illegal to do 60 on it. In practice, of course, it's almost impossible to reach, much less exceed the limit on this road, and anyone who tried would be at risk of prosecution for dangerous driving, assuming there was a copper around to flag them down.

And that's the other big problem with this. Speed cameras deal with but one issue, namely speed. They do not enforce or encourage safe or courteous driving, use of seat belts, non-use of mobile phones, clearways, U-turn restrictions or any other road traffic law you could mention. And yet you can be sure they will be used as justification to further reduce the number of traffic cops on our roads.

Blanket reduction of the limits, and blanket imposition of speed cameras, will cause a major erosion in the basic consent of the people that is required for the Law to be effective in this country.