This would allow the full benefits of clear motorways to be enjoyed by the public now that car safety feature and braking distances are vastly improved since the 70mph limit was set in 1965 - almost sixty years ago.
 

We propose an increase to 90mph in clear motorway conditions, which could reduce a current two hour journey by as much as 25 minutes.

 

The increased use of variable motorway speed limits makes this a more reasonable approach than in previous years, as this can allow us to account for adverse traffic conditions, more dangerous motorway sections or poor weather.  Where variable limits are not yet active, the default could be a smaller increase to 80mph.

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To accommodate the roll out of this policy we would also introduce harsher penalties for drivers who exceed this new limit or drive dangerously at the new maximum.  This, along with our proposal to step up enforcement of dangerous and anti-social driving offences, should ensure that the benefits of faster travel can be enjoyed without an increase in accidents.