I saw this letter in today's Telegraph:
Telegraph Letters 14/04/05
Sir - Speed cameras are to be deployed on the M4 between Junction 14 and Junction 18, Hungerford to Bath (News, Apr 13). If drivers are to be punished for exceeding 70mph, who voted for that limit? Answer, no one. The 70mph limit was brought in, under emergency powers, as a measure to save fuel during the 1974 fuel price crisis. Speed limits do not reflect the public's wishes. We have never seen this limit as part of a political manifesto, and have never had an opportunity to vote on it. I am not advocating elimination of speed limits, but vehicles are now safer and nearly every driver ignores the motorway limits.
Geoffrey Collingwood, Brackley, Northants
Did some checking, and lo and behold, it's true!
BBC 15/12/74
New speed limit to curb fuel use
British drivers must adhere to reduced speed limits from midnight tonight as the government tries to save fuel. ... The measures have been introduced indefinitely by Energy Secretary, Eric Varley, as part of a 12-point package of energy conservation measures aimed at saving £700m in imports annually.
4 comments:
Well done JP, what a marvellous post! And why don't you check your new email forwarding for comments while you're at it?
I saw that bloke too and also favour the big metal spike. And public floggings.
http://wired-vig.wired.com/wired/archive/12.12/traffic.html
Roads Gone Wild
No street signs. No crosswalks. No accidents. Surprise: Making driving seem more dangerous could make it safer.
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