Average speed cameras on motorways looks set to be controversial…

A report published today has called on ministers to introduce average speed cameras on all of the UK’s motorways in a bid to save around 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 annually. Despite the clear environmental incentive to support the measure however, many drivers are highly opposed to the move - no surprise since it is estimated that around 52% regularly break the 70mph speed limit.

The problem in a way is that the technology is currently too good, strange as the concept seems - for today’s cars and roads are far different from those of the time when the speed limit was introduced. Put simply, it is far too easy (and often safe) to exceed the national speed limit.

And this is the reason so many people are incensed by the suggestion (see for example the range of angry comments left on the Telegraph website in response to an article on the subject), but what is also puzzling is that often the same people who regard this as an infringement of civil liberties, consider breaking the speed limit as a fundamental human right…

What should be remembered here is that the issue is one of reducing CO2 emissions - and there can be no doubt that the measure would represent a great way to do do this. If it means that we must concentrate more while driving, then so be it - after all if you struggle to maintain a consistent speed while driving due to the difficulty in checking the speedometer then maybe you shouldn’t be driving on a motorway at 90mph…

What is certain is that this question will continue to be a massively controversial one over coming months, as whichever government comes out of the general election struggles to meet the challenges of reducing carbon emissions. The reality is that driving excessively fast on motorways, be it for pleasure or business, is simply no longer a responsible option if we take seriously the need to reduce our environmental pollution. I’m sure if we stop and think about it for a bit, it’s surely not too much of a quality of life issue if we go just that little bit slower - plus it’ll do wonders for our wallets…

Dejan Levi

climate change, Dejan Levi, green motoring, Motorway speed cameras, national speed limit