80mph Speed Limit Is Bad For Climate And Economy -- FoE
3 October 2011
Plans to increase the speed limit on roads in the UK to 80mph will hurt people's pockets and the planet according to Friends of the Earth
The environmental campaigners, Friends of the Earth (FoE), has said that not only will the 80mph proposal be bad for the planet but it is also "making a mockery" of David Cameron's aim to lead the "greenest government ever".
The plan to increase the UK's motorway speed limit from 70 to 80mph has been met with contrasting views. While groups such as the RAC have said "we think 80mph is reasonably safe," environmental groups have put forth the argument that the proposed limit will mean we will all use more fuel - anything up to 25 percent - than at 70mph, with a resultant effect on emissions.
Road transport accounts for over 20 percent of the UK's carbon emissions and driving at higher speeds increases the amount of CO2 vehicles produce.
Enforcing the current 70mph limit would save about a megatonne of carbon per year, according to the FoE.
Along with climate and economic implications, safety groups have also hit out. Road safety charity Brake's chief executive Mary Williams said: "This is a selfish move that will achieve nothing other than carnage and is pandering to an uninformed few."
Friends of the Earth's transport campaigner Richard Dyer said: "An 80mph speed limit will mean drivers burn more fuel - putting an extra strain on people's wallets and business costs at a time we can least afford it.
"And it will increase carbon emissions just as we urgently need to reduce them to help protect us all from dangerous climate change.
"Raising the motorway speed limit seems like a cynical move to please a few Tory voters and makes a mockery of David Cameron's aim to lead the 'greenest government ever'.
"More 20mph zones will help cut CO2 and make our streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians."
Darrel Moore
