The UK Government is being urged to follow Spain which is now trying out higher speed limits adjusted by AI to match conditions
15:20, 14 Apr 2025Updated 15:29, 14 Apr 2025
The Alliance of British Drivers says motorway speed limits should be raised in the UK and it would be easy to achieve(Image: Getty Images)
UK drivers are calling on the Government to increase motorway speed limits, in line with several EU countries.
Spain is the latest to try the idea by testing a new limit of 150km/h on a section of highway in Catalonia. If successful, it will be rolled out nationwide.
The speed limit will be controlled by AI and adjusted electronically according to factors such as weather conditions, traffic volume, time of day, and road conditions.
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Other EU countries already have AI-controlled speed limits, including Germany, France and the Netherlands.
Campaigners from Driving Sense, aka the Alliance of British Drivers, are asking British transport chiefs to look into implementing a similar idea and say smart motorways – where there are traffic management signs overhead that can update motorists on changes – would make it simple to carry out.
A spokesman for Driving Sense said: “The ABD has long called for trialling of higher limits on certain motorways at certain times. This could easily be done using smart motorway systems.
“However, successive UK governments seem only interested in ratcheting down limits at every opportunity, a short-sighted approach.
“We would not expect real-world speeds to rise significantly. Such a move would simply be legitimising the safe and responsible speeds that most drivers naturally choose to travel. “Spain has shown the way: 150km/h (93mph) limits are to be trialled on their equivalent of smart motorways where they can be reduced at busy times or bad weather. The UK government should follow.”
EU officials say AI-managed road speeds reduce the number of accidents, minimise CO2 emissions, and optimise fuel consumption.
Studies in the Netherlands have shown that this type of ‘intelligent speed control’ can cut down the number of accidents by up to 30 per cent in high-risk blackspots.
Spain currently has a speed limit of 120km/h on motorways. But the experiment means motorists on the AP-7 near El Vendrell will now be able to travel up to 150 km/h and won’t fined if they exceed 120 km/h.
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