Motorway speed limits to be changed

Date: 2/2/2010

Speed limits on motorways are to be simplified to avoid confusion, it has been announced.

The Department for Transport has launched a consultation into the proposed changes, which is open until April 27th.

Under the modifications, all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats will have a speed limit of 65 mph on motorways, regardless of whether they are fitted with a speed limiting device.

HGV drivers will also face new limits, with all vehicles weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes having to adhere to a 60 mph motorway speed limit.

According to the Department for Transport, the changes are deemed necessary because there is some confusion over speed limits since the introduction of speed limiters in new vehicles.

These mean that under current legislation, newer HGVs are limited to 56 mph while older vehicles have a higher limit of 70 mph, which could deter companies from investing in safer and more fuel efficient newer vehicles.

Road safety minister Paul Clark said: "These proposals simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and lorries so that everyone has to abide by the same rules regardless of the age of their vehicle."

Meanwhile, a law was passed last week preventing disqualified motorists in the UK from driving in Ireland and visa-versa.