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Adopted permanently in 1967 after a period of experimentation, the UK's 70mph speed limit for motorways and dual carriageways is now considered outdated by many, myself included. With 50mph limits currently imposed on long stretches of the country's motorway network while smart upgrades are in progress, the frustration felt by motorists is palpable.
Many commercial fleet vehicles are restricted to less than 70mph, but for company car drivers, the temptation to drive at 80mph to avoid being late for an appointment is understandable. RAC research found that 64% of business drivers would like to see the speed limit increased and 46% admit to frequently driving at 80mph, showing how de facto it has become.
It's not that simple, though, with so many concerns to balance. If 80mph is the norm for many motorists, it's inevitable that 90mph would become the new norm. Road safety charities such as Brake regularly oppose a speed limit increase, certain it would lead to a rise in motorway fatalities, only a few minutes per journey being saved by driving faster. They also believe the current UK motorway network isn't safe enough to accommodate faster speeds, plus more 'bunching' would ensue due to HGVs, coaches and many vans still having to drive more slowly.
As the UK turns green with more cities taking on Go Ultra Low status in coming years and Government increasingly promoting ULEVs, there's also a worry that vehicles driving legally at 80mph would increase CO2 emissions and hike up company fuel bills.
Department for Transport data showed that the volume of UK traffic increased 2.2% to September 2015, with relatively cheap fuel prices, PCP and leasing deals seeing more cars take to the road. Growing congestion means an 80mph speed limit would be futile during peak times, primarily of benefit to off-peak road users on managed smart motorways.
Flexible working might therefore be one solution, as illustrated by a study from The Climate Group in partnership with Canon Europe, which found that a firm in the West End of London with 56 employees would save 59.3 tonnes of CO2 each year if 30% of staff teleworked. While it's simply not feasible for many employees to work from home, allowing them to adjust their start and finish times would surely help reduce congestion.
Businesses also need to weigh up if a face-to-face meeting, whether relatively local or a considerable distance away, is absolutely necessary. Technological advances in video conferencing are allowing many firms to not only save fuel and reduce emissions but also maximise efficiency and reduce fatigue.
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