Speed limit cuts: Your comments

Proposals to bring down speed limits in areas of Britain where there is a higher risk of accidents have been announced by the government.

Reductions from 30mph to 20mph in urban locations and 60mph to 50mph in the countryside are being considered.

Road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick said the way people learn to drive and are tested is also set for reform.

BBC News website readers have been sending their reactions to these proposals. This a selection of some of the comments we have received.

Wouldn't it be more sensible for compulsory re-testing every five years for all drivers? Personally I don't like the idea, but if we are really interested in road safety… then again it's so easy to blame young drivers, van drivers, in fact anyone except ourselves!
Simon, Stafford

Not a bad idea, however, in my view, 50% of all drivers should not be holding a licence at all, as driving requires more than adherence to speed limits; such as driving appropriately for vehicle, environment and personal condition (e.g. tired). And quite a few drivers will never possess the skill to conduct a complex machine (car) despite holding a "valid licence".
Alex Keel, London

I live in a rural area and some of the local roads have a national speed limit sign which is absolutely ridiculous when it would be crazy to drive at more than thirty. I'm all for a 20 mile limit through built up areas and especially near schools.
Julian Mitchell, Corsham

I like the idea of making the test more reflective of real situations. As a learner I sometimes found lessons and the actual test frustrating as waiting for someone else's instructions is almost like having a back seat driver present and we all know how distracting that can be.
Dylan Drummond, Dundee

I agree with all of the proposals made by the government today, with the exception of the reduction of the national speed limit to 50mph on single carriageway roads. This will do very little to decrease road casualties, and will result in increased congestion and misery on the roads. I am a motorcyclist as well as a car driver, and this cut will seriously curtail my enjoyment of the countryside.
Richard, Crewe

Why do we have to have a one size fits all, in this age of technology why cannot the speed limit be variable dependant on the time of day/night or whether it is a school day or not.
Mr G. Walmsley, Leyland, Lancashire

We live on a fairly narrow rural road and risk life and limb when we take the dogs for a walk because of speeding drivers. 60mph is not suitable for country roads, 50mph is a better compromise BUT the problem is ensuring compliance.
Pam Rogers, Worcs

Regarding the speed limits, this is a silly idea, which will cause annoyance at slow driving when it is safe to drive faster. I would advocate a move towards the scheme trialled in Makkinga (Denmark) where all signs and limits were removed. This lead to safer driving.
Oliver, Oxfordshire

Reduced speed limits are only likely to be effective if they are adequately enforced, most schools in Somerset have 20mph limits - these are universally ignored, as are any other speed restrictions in the area. In the three years I've lived here I have never seen an enforcement camera or witnessed or heard of anybody being stopped for speeding, the number of people killed within a small area around our village exceeds seven in three years.
Jon Morten, Cheddar, Somerset

Reducing speed limits to 20mph on certain side roads in Oxford has been successful, although there is still much debate about how realistic it is to impose a 20mph limit on the main arterial roads that service the city. However, the simplest thing the government can do to reduce serious accidents is to bring in a total ban on drinking and driving, and then make sure that ban is enforced.
Sally Holloway, Near Oxford

I would welcome lower speed limits. I live in the centre of town and my road is used as a rat-run with many drivers driving at ridiculous speeds. However, lower limits will only be effective if they are policed. The police turn a blind eye to the problems on my road in spite of the fact that there's a police station on the corner of it.
Margaret Lowndes, Harpenden, Herts

I welcome the changes as long as they are not rolled out for no reason on all roads but the roads are properly assessed on their need to have the limit cut. Also, more needs to be done to make sure people drive at the 20mph limit. There is a road near me where a vast majority of motorists just simply ignore it, including me, I am ashamed to admit.
Marcus, Teddington

Perhaps a psychological interview should be part of the test to see if any person might have a severe aggressive streak that might not only appear in his youth when he/she is driving, but also when they progress into your average family person who release aggression through their car.
Roger Whittle, Askam in Furness, Cumbria

Typical of this government. Rather than sorting out the real problem of the ever-growing aggressive speeding road users let's just think up another revenue raiser.
Jules, Watford UK

I totally agree. I would go further and introduce a 65mph limit on motorways, the benefits in terms of fuel savings and traffic flow would be enormous.
Neil Hopwood, Gloucester

I enjoy driving and drive on country roads regularly and they are statistically some of the safest roads in the country, why do they need a reduction in speed? No one will abide by them and it'll be seen as another action from a big brother styled government with more rules and indirectly getting more money in with more fines!
Peter Doody, Plymouth

I am a driving instructor, and I feel that the proposals are simply window dressing. The vast majority of drivers exceed speed limits as a matter of routine. Until people take speed limits seriously, reducing them to 20mph will have very little impact.
Neil Willis, Wolverhampton, West Midlands

I oppose these changes. I drive hundreds of miles per day and need to get places fast. It is not the current speed limits that are the problem but people who drive recklessly and the authorities who do nothing to change the layout of accident black spots.
Jason Ward, Brigg

I am the Young Driver Coordinator for the Norfolk & Norwich Group of Advanced Motorists. I believe that driver education (after the 17 test) is the most important thing. Placing a 20mph (or 50mph) speed limit just means that those who normally speed will still continue to speed, but just break the limit by a larger margin.
Steve Minns, Norwich

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