Experts React To New Government Plans

Serious injury experts at Irwin Mitchell have revealed their major concerns that the government’s plans to launch a consultation on raising the speed limit on motorways from 70mph to 80mph could have a significant impact on road safety.

Transport secretary Philip Hammond has confirmed his intention to push forward with the plans in an effort to get the new limit introduced within the next two years, stating that the current limit is “out of date” due to advances seen in technology over the past 50 years.

The announcement came as government statistics revealed that the number of road deaths on Britain’s roads have fallen to a record low, with the 2010 figure of 1,857 marking a 17 per cent fall from 2009.

Experts at Irwin Mitchell act for a number of victims who have been seriously injured in road traffic collisions in an effort to ensure they can access vital care and rehabilitation to help them recover from life-changing injuries. The firm also represents families who have lost loved ones in such incidents.

Jane Horton, a Partner and serious injury specialist at the firm’s Leeds office, said: “While it is welcome news that the number of deaths has fallen, our work shows that too many people are still being killed or serious injured when using roads across Britain.

“On the release of the new road safety stats, the government stated that improving safety remains a priority. However, these proposals to raise the speed limit are concerning as they have the major potential to undermine all of the work done to improve safety so far.

“We represent families whose lives have been turned upside as a result of drivers travelling at excess speeds and it is vital that the government undertake a full and proper assessment of this issue before pushing forward with these plans for a new limit.”