Drivers Think Speed Limit is Too Low

Half of UK drivers believe that the current speed limit for motorways is too low, a survey by tyre specialist, HiQ, has revealed. Fast fit specialist HiQ, carried out the questionnaire in centres throughout its national network in order to determine just how much drivers knew about UK speed limits. The results demonstrated that UK drivers were on the whole, extremely knowledgeable about speed limits, despite some drivers believing there should be changes to current limits.

The most striking call for change was in motorway limits where, according to the survey, 51 per cent of drivers believed that the current motorway speed limit of 70mph was too low, with 37 per cent believing the limit should be increased to 80mph. A small minority of those questioned thought that the limit should be increased to 100mph or that there should be no restrictions at all.

The survey also found that 72 per cent of UK drivers believe that speed limits on urban roads are ‘about right’ and should remain at 30mph.

The majority of motorists surveyed were able to correctly identify the differing speed limits for single carriage ways, dual carriage ways and the national speed limit. However the majority had difficulty identifying where there was a difference between streets with and without lights, with only 30 per cent of people correctly identifying the limit on a single carriageway without lights (i.e. in a non built up area) as 60mph.

Nikki McCluney, HiQ marketing manager comments: “Knowledge of speed limits plays a key part in ensuring drivers remain safe and of course legal on Britain’s road network. As one of the leading fast fit organisations in the UK, HiQ is committed to providing a comprehensive automotive service to drivers which not only includes a full range of tyres, brakes and other parts, but also information on all aspects of road and vehicle safety.”