Brake: Don't raise the speed limit
Raising the speed limit on the UK's motorways would cause an increase in road accidents, it has been claimed.
Commenting on speculation that ministers may vote to raise the limit from 70mph to 80mph before summer, road safety charity Brake emphasised that this move could lead to a ten per cent rise in casualties on motorways.
The organisation also noted that petrol cars emit an average of 14 per cent more CO2 when driving at 80mph rather than 70mph, while the figure jumps to 25 per cent for diesel models.
Brake campaigns officer Ellen Booth said that if the move was backed by ministers, it could lead to "devastating trauma to families".
"It would also fly in the face of this government's commitment to lower carbon emissions. In short, a decision to raise the motorway limit would go against safety, environmental and financial sense," Ms Booth added.
Brake recently discovered that 98 per cent of UK drivers believe they are safer than, or as safe as, the average motorist.