Why aren’t speed limits enforced more stringently? Considering the potentially deadly consequences, it’s extremely easy to get away with speeding. I imagine the cost of installing more cameras is off-putting for those responsible, but at least some of the outlay would be made back in penalties. Paul Malden, Essex
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Readers reply
Bad, dangerous, and antisocial driving has become so normalised that even the police have internalised the idea that drivers are top of the road hierarchy. Therefore, getting caught breaking the law is merely an inconvenience, rather than a heinous crime that is contributing to a lower quality of life and health for everyone. MirKumari
Speed limits would not require enforcement if all cars were fitted with GPS-controlled speed limiters. These were first proposed by a team at the University of Leeds, working with the transport consultancy TRL, in about 2000. They estimated it would cut road deaths by about 40% at the then speed limits, reduce CO2 emissions and take 19 years for the whole fleet to have them installed if it were made mandatory for new cars. I remember thinking that was much too long and that a simpler system, fitted free at MOT time, would be more effective. Of course, the motoring lobby groups put a stop to it. They are now almost silent on self-driving cars. Maybe they think they will be allowed to drive as fast as they “think” is “sensible”.
One other advantage of GPS control is that there would be no need for speed bumps. To those who think it sometimes “necessary to exceed the speed limit for safety reasons”, I suggest that people’s driving habits and style would alter to suit the new limitations, just as they have adapted to the other constraints placed on drivers. wardpj
When the only tool you have is a hammer, all your problems look like nails. So it is with speed – easy to measure, profitable to fine, with a grain of truth in its effect on road safety. The trouble with speed enforcement is that it ignores every other factor – distraction, incompetence, recklessness – which have far more bearing. Who among us has never broken a speed limit (intentionally or otherwise) and felt they weren’t doing anything unsafe? The fact is, the vast majority of cases of exceeding the speed limit are completely harmless, because speed limits are ultimately arbitrary rules. An obsession with them is unhealthy and unproductive. Dodo56
The most dangerous laws are those that are frequently flouted, but for which a keen enforcer can choose to arrest and prosecute. These are where the prejudice of the enforcer will shine through. It’s a useful law if you need an excuse to pull someone over and give them some trouble. passfail
