Motorists to set own speed limits in Australia?

You can always rely on the subject of speed limits to result in a heated debate. We only need highlight the recent furore over the government’s plans to introduce a 60mph limit on a 32-mile section of the M1 to make our point.

But how about a scenario where you, the motorist, select the appropriate speed limit? Depending on your point of view, this may sound like a recipe for disaster or happiness. But according to a report on Australian motoring website, Car Advice, this could be happening in New South Wales.

60mph M1 motorway speed limit proposed

On Bing: see pictures of speed limits

According to the story, Liberal Democrat Party Senator, David Leyonhjelm, is proposing a system where existing speed limits are replaced with limits set by motorists. Sounds crazy, but once you delve a little deeper, it begins to make more sense.

Leyonhjelm’s plan is based on an ’85th percentile’ formula, which works on the assumption that the majority of drivers do not want to crash. The revised limits would therefore be based on the monitored speeds travelled by 85% of drivers in areas where limits have been removed.

In principle, this proposal has some potential, but we do wonder if such a plan would work in the UK.

Our roads are too congested and we’d be concerned that such a plan would be ruined by the small minority who would fail to recognise a suitable speed for a given road or weather conditions at the time.

But we admire Leyonhjelm’s stance and indeed, his statement, in which he said:

“Instead of being treated like sinful children and a source of revenue, motorists should be the ones who decide what the limits are.”

Mr Leyonhjelm, if you’re reading this, let us know if you fancy spending some time influencing motoring policy in the UK. We reckon you might find some fans over here.

The great British motorway speed limit debate

MSN readers back 80mph limit on UK motorways

60mph M1 motorway speed limit proposed

On Bing: see pictures of speed limits

By motoringresearch.com