UK Drivers Divided on Proposed Motorway Rule Change in Place for 59 Years
More than half of 2,000 respondents opposed the change, with older drivers and people in Northern Ireland most likely to back the current limit.
- A survey of more than 2,000 people commissioned by DrivingExperience found that 54% of drivers oppose increasing the 70mph motorway speed limit, revealing significant generational and regional divisions.
- The current 70mph limit has been in place for nearly 60 years since its trial introduction on December 22, 1965, becoming permanent in 1967 after accident rates fell.
- Generational differences are stark: 64% of drivers over 65 want to maintain the existing limit, while less than half of those aged 18 to 24 support retaining the 70mph restriction.
- Regional variations further complicate the debate: 70% of respondents in Northern Ireland support keeping the 70mph limit, compared to just 49% in the South East of England.
- Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at DrivingExperience, said "increasing the speed limit could increase driving risk," noting drivers believe human response to hazards remains critical despite modern vehicle safety.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Basingstoke Gazette
Most drivers oppose plans to raise motorway speed limit to 80mph
When asked if they believed the UK motorway speed limit would change, a pool of UK drivers was somewhat divided
UK drivers reject calls for higher motorway speed limits despite thousands backing petition
A majority of Britons are not in favour of increasing the motorway speed limit to 80mph, despite petitions supporting faster speeds.A survey of 2,000 motorists found that 54 per cent did not want to see motorway speeds increase to 80mph.There was far stronger support for new speed limits from the older generation, with almost two-thirds (64 per cent) backing the measures.In comparison, just under half (47 per cent) of drivers aged between 18 and…
Older drivers are likely to reject 80mph motorway speed proposal
The prospect of raising the UK motorway speed limit from 70mph to 80mph has exposed a clear generational divide, with older drivers significantly more likely to oppose an increase. An in-depth survey of more than 2,000 people commissioned by DrivingExperience.com found that 54% of respondents would prefer to retain the current 70mph motorway speed limit,…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 94% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
