{"id":19417,"date":"2025-04-14T14:37:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T14:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/19417\/"},"modified":"2025-04-14T14:37:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T14:37:14","slug":"drivers-demand-government-change-to-national-speed-limit-after-spain-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/19417\/","title":{"rendered":"Drivers demand government change to national speed limit after Spain move"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UK Government is being urged to follow Spain which is now trying out higher speed limits adjusted by AI to match conditions<\/p>\n

15:20, 14 Apr 2025Updated 15:29, 14 Apr 2025<\/p>\n

\"BusyThe Alliance of British Drivers says motorway speed limits should be raised in the UK and it would be easy to achieve(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

UK drivers are calling on the Government to increase motorway speed limits, in line with several EU countries.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other EU countries already have AI-controlled speed limits, including Germany, France and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“However, successive UK governments seem only interested in ratcheting down limits at every opportunity, a short-sighted approach.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

EU officials say AI-managed road speeds reduce the number of accidents, minimise CO2 emissions, and optimise fuel consumption.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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