ABD calls for end to 'political' speed limits
Date: 23 August 2007
The Association of British Drivers (ABD) has called for an end for 'political' speed limits, following a proposal that would affect courier drivers in the East Midlands.
Lincolnshire County Council has proposed lowering the speed limit on the A52 between Boston and Skegness, arguing that a reduction would encourage drivers to use the A16 instead and reduce congestion.
The move would affect courier and freight haulage drivers working in the area.
However, Nigel Humphries of the ABD said it was "barking mad to suggest that a speed limit on a major road should be reduced to 'discourage traffic' simply because lots of people use the road - such an opinion is symptomatic of the insane manner in which roads are viewed by councils these days".
The alternative route is 30 miles, as opposed to just 23 miles via the A52.
Keith Peat, also of the ABD and a retired police officer, added: "Here is the evidence that speed limits are used on major roads not for safety but for political and strategic reasons and for favouritism of certain hamlets.
"This by definition will force more traffic onto the A16 between Boston and Partney, what of the villages there? The question now is, how many of our speed limits, and thus convictions, have been no more than political use of speed limits?"
Critics have long argued that speed enforcement measures are used for political ends. Speed cameras are a case in point, with many courier drivers and others believing they are more to do with lining councils' pockets than with improving road safety.
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