Auto news

Merkel Rejects Autobahn Speed Limits: Safety Not Even Mentioned

01 novembre 2007

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has rejected her party's call for a 130km/h (80mph) speed limit on unrestricted autobahns in order to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Nobody, not even those asking for the limit, were claiming it was justified on safety grounds. Clearly speed is not a major factor in accidents on motorways, including German autobahns.

Merkel correctly pointed out that traffic jams produce at least as much CO₂ as vehicles travelling at high speeds. Indeed, a vehicle travelling in congested traffic at 5mph produces about double the CO₂ emissions of a vehicle travelling at 80mph.

ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries said, "The fatality rates on unrestricted German autobahns were similar to those on 55mph restricted US freeways, and most the of UK's fatal motorway accidents involve HGVs that are limited to 56mph. The speed limit on UK motorways could be raised to at least 85mph without compromising safety or CO₂ emissions. People should be free to choose their own emissions/time balance like they are free to decide how warm their house is. Any government serious about reducing emissions should remove the deliberate congestion causing measures that blight our towns and cities."

Meanwhile, Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes, who is head of ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) road policing policy, has been caught speeding for the third time. On this occasion he is alleged to have been travelling at 90mph in a 60mph limit, which leaves him facing a ban and a maximum £1000 fine if convicted. Mr Hughes seems unconcerned about speed limits or emissions!

Print version

Send to a friend

Write your comment »

Related headlines

Toyota unveils 10th generation Corolla at SEMA

Toyota Unveils All-New Corolla Matrix at SEMA

Kia Unveils Spectra5 SX Concept at 2007 SEMA

World travellers have voted London's taxis as the best in the world

UK independent repairers comment on R2RC UK launch

First Subaru Impreza RB320 comes home

Ferrari FXX programme extended for further two years

Nissan FORUM concept to debut at Detroit

Commenti dei lettori

Attenzione: si prega di non utilizzare un linguaggio offensivo, eventuali commenti volgari o offensivi saranno rimossi, così come link non giustificati. I commenti sono inseriti dai lettori, che se ne assumono la responsabilità

Non sei registrato?
Registrati, è gratis!

Commento

Ultime news:

Martin Tomczyk named 'racer of the year'

Toyota unveils 10th generation Corolla at SEMA

Toyota Unveils All-New Corolla Matrix at SEMA

Kia Unveils Spectra5 SX Concept at 2007 SEMA

First image of new Fisker sport sedan

Autodelta Spider J6 3.2 C: World Première at MPH07

World travellers have voted London's taxis as the best in the world

First Subaru Impreza RB320 comes home

New sat nav for Škoda Octavia

V eight boost for Cropredy Bridge Jensen